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Scott Walker Drops Out; Pope Francis Leads Mass in Cuba Before Heading to U.S.; Peanut Executive Sentenced to 28 Years for Knowingly Shipping Contaminated Food; Venezuela and Colombia Agree to Deescalate Military Standoff; Volkswagen Facing Criminal Probe; Ben Carson Defends Comments; Controversial Visit from Chinese President. Aired 3- 4a ET

Aired September 22, 2015 - 03:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN HOST: A contender in the Republican race for the White House calls it quits, and we'll tell you why he's urging many of his rivals to do the same.

ERROL BARNETT, CNN HOST: A battle of wills, the EU ministers begin a crucial round of meetings on where to relocate more than 100,000 refugees in Europe.

CHURCH: And a capital divided. Politicians from both sides of the aisle prepare for an historic visit from the Pope Francis. We will tell you which side is more likely to embrace the Holy Father's views.

Hello and welcome to our viewers here in the United States, and all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church.

BARNETT: And I'm Errol Barnett. Your final hour of the day with both of us, this is CNN NEWSROOM.

CHURCH: Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has dropped out of the U.S. Presidential Race. And now, many of the 15 remaining Republicans are scrambling to scoop up his financial backers.

BARNETT: Now, Walker was a favorite among high-profile donors, the Super PAC raised nearly $20 million in the first half of that year. And now, some of that money will be up for grabs. Walker's announcement on Monday was brief.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. SCOTT WALKER (R-WI), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I will suspend my campaign immediately. I encourage other Republican presidential candidates to consider doing the same, so the voters can focus on a limited number of candidates who can offer a positive, conservative alternative to the current front-runner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And Walker was considered a top-tiered candidate just a few months ago. But his support fell steadily over the summer.

BARNETT: Here's our Chief U.S. Correspondent John King.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KING, CNN CHIEF U.S. CORRESPONDENT: Look, he got bad debate performance. He was inconsistent in his answers. He did not impress conservatives like early on, thought he might be their guy. There are a number of reasons. But look at this, he actually peaked back in March in our points, 16 percent. You might say this is not a ton, but in a crowded Republican field, this is the moment where he us actually was a contender, not could have been a contender. He was a contender for a bit, but look at the slide going right down. This is what killed him, Anderson.

After that CNN debate, he went to an asterisk, 16 percent in March to barely registering in our poll. And if you look at why, again, this is his peak in March when he was considered the alternative. This is pre-Trump. He was considered the alternative to Jeb Bush, he was leading in Iowa, nationally 20 percent among women, 1 percent now, 12 percent among Republican women, doesn't register anymore, 26 percent among the tea party. This is in March. Doesn't register. Conservatives thought he was he was the guy fighting unions in Wisconsin, he was a conservative here, all right. He doesn't register anymore. Literally fell through the floor in part because of Trump, but also because of poor performance.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR, "AC360": Let's look at the rest of the GOP field.

KING: This is what's remarkable. It's not just of Governor Walker, you heard him call out other candidates to get out. It would be interesting to see if that happens. Trump down after our debate. That's the biggest headline. He was at 32 percent coming in, he was down to 24 percent. Carly Fiorina, barely registering beforehand, Anderson, up to 15 percent now. Dr. Carson down a bit. Marco Rubio up quite a bit. Jeb Bush a static line there. It's really interesting to watch why did Donald Trump go down, he's being tested now. Any candidate gets tested, we'll see if he can handle adversity to drop among the tea party from 41 down to 29, his drop especially big among Republican women, down from 33 to 21. A small decline in Republic men. We'll see if he can recover from that. The beneficiary on the Republican side, Anderson, clearly is Carly Fiorina, taking support from Trump and from Carson, 3 percent to 14 percent among Republican men.

COOPER: Wow.

KING: That's a big jump. You see similar Republican women, tea party support. She went from nowhere to somewhere. Her challenge is to capitalize. Mr. Trump's challenge now is to deal with his first test of adversity.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: So many challenges. Donald Trump isn't the only reason Scott Walker is pulling out of the presidential race either. He had another conversation with CNN Political Commentator Ben Ferguson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN FERGUSON, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Scott Walker had two terrible debates in a row. You can only blame so much of this on Donald Trump. I think Scott Walker really tried to overstretch in the first debate. In the second debate, he just didn't connect with people. And that happens a lot with presidential candidates. So unfortunately for him, his campaign is over very early, much earlier than his supporters and donors, and even I think he thought he would ever be. I was shocked how quick this ended for him. But the race's still got a lot of people in it, and there are a lot of months ahead that they're going to be fighting with one another.

BARNETT: But he and other candidates have made the point that the Republican candidate who wins needs to have a more positive hopeful message than what he is saying that is coming from Donald Trump, more negative and fearful. And despite Scott Walker's trouble, he did have major financial backing and he was respected within the party. And it's likely he'll be working behind the scenes as the weeks go on to undo Trump's support. Do you think that will gain any traction?

FERGUSON: I'm not sure about it will gain traction. I do think every time you see someone like a Scott Walker drop out, it does give all the other candidates a better opportunity, a better chance to stand out, and also gain in the polls. I mean, you look even after this last debate, you had Donald Trump lost support, you had you know Carly Fiorina jump to second place. Ben Carson still very steady there right there at second -- third. You also have Marco Rubio who was really able to catapult after this last debate. So there are a lot of people now paying attention. I think every time we have a debate, you're going to see probably someone drop out, and someone's race get much more realistic of being able to conquer Donald Trump.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: There's my chat with Ben Ferguson earlier.

CHURCH: And Ben Carson is clarifying his statement that he would not support a Muslim as U.S. President. In an interview with Fox News, Carson said he could support a Muslim president as long as they effectively renounce their faith.

BARNETT: And on Facebook, a Muslim candidate would have to announce Sharia law. Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash has more on the controversy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Even in a campaign, full of explosive comments, this one immediately stood out.

BEN CARSON (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I would advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that. BASH: Ben Carson said that. He wouldn't want a Muslim as president. And answer to a question about whether the Islamic religion is consistent with the Constitution.

Some of Carson's competitors distanced themselves.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, the Constitution provides there should be no religious test for public office. And I'm a constitutionalist.

BASH: There are two Muslim members of Congress, both lashed out at Carson.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's (asinine). That's almost like saying that a neurosurgeon could never be President of the United States of America.

BASH: The Democratic front-runner for president was quick to chime in, saying in a tweet, can a Muslim be President of the United States of America? In a word, yes. Now, let's move on.

The conversation about Muslims at America began at a Donald Trump Town Hall last week, when he failed to correct a voter who falsely said President Obama is a Muslim, even though he is a Christian.

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We need this question.

BASH: On Sunday, when asked what he thinks of having a Muslim for president, Trump stirred the pot making this not-so-settled suggestion about President Obama.

TRUMP: Some people have said that it already happened frankly, but of course, you wouldn't agree with that.

BASH: This has Trump's status as a Republican front-runner is starting to slip. He's still on top, but losing ground, down eight points in a new CNN ORC poll since early this month. And Carly Fiorina is on the rise in second place with 15 percent after a standout debate performance.

When comes to the name of the game which is winning the Republican nomination, it's hard to see these comments not having an effect. I was talking to a smart Republican, who said there are two kinds of GOP voters, those who like to have their ideology validated. They're energized by politically incorrect remarks. And the other kind, the vast majority, who want to win the White House and are concerned about what is perceived to be an intolerant remark or remarks that might preclude them from victory over Democrats in 2016.

Dana Bash, CNN Washington.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: Now, a number of Muslim leaders are calling on Carson to just drop out completely of the presidential race.

CHURCH: CNN spoke with the Executive Director of the Council of American Islamic Relations.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NIHAD AWAD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL OF AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS: He clearly trashed the United States Constitution by saying that an American-Muslim cannot be President of the United States. That is a religious test. And therefore, he's proving himself unfit or not ready to lead the United States because he's not going to uphold the Constitution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: In the meantime though, Carson's running strong at third place with 14 percent support. That's in the latest CNN ORC poll of voters.

CHURCH: Anticipation is building as Pope Francis begins his U.S. tour just hours from now, in fact, the Pope will arrive near Washington where he'll be greeted by President Obama.

BARNETT: And the White House is trying hard to take politics out of the Pope's visit, but that is not easy as CNN's Jim Acosta reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: When Pope Francis arrives in Washington for his first visit to the U.S., President Obama will be welcoming a powerful political partner, but with the next presidential election heating up, the White House is rejecting the notion that the Pope's trip is all about politics.

JOSH EARNEST, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: There is no plan or strategy that has been put in place to stage an event that will advance anybody's political agenda.

ACOSTA: That's a tough claim to make, considering the Pope's positions, as the White House led the charge for same-sex marriage, Pope Francis has softened his own stance on gay priest.

TRANSLATOR: If a person and seeks God and has a good will, who am I to judge him?

ACOSTA: On climate change, the Pope says it's a global problem with great implications. The earth is our home is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth. And he slammed trickle-down economics saying this opinion which has never been confirmed by the facts expresses a crude and naive trust in the goodness of those wielding economic power.

And then, there is the president's policy on Cuba, a change the Pope helped broker in secret.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I want to thank his Holiness Pope Francis.

ACOSTA: Conservatives have dubbed it the Obamafication of Pope Francis. And GOP presidential candidates have had enough.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I just think the Pope was wrong. The fact is that his infallibility is on religious matters, not on political ones.

ACOSTA: It's not the first time that a Pope and a U.S. President have joined forces. Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II were close allies in the fight against communism during the Cold War.

FATHER EDWARD BECK, CNN FAITH AND RELIGIOUS COMMENTATOR: When John Paul II went against Polish communism and aligned himself with the solidarity movement, I didn't care a lot -- he was lauded for that kind of advancement. It's interesting that this Pope when he kind of wades into those waters seems to get criticized, stay out of politics.

ACOSTA: Some Republicans are also (inaudible) that the White House is inviting pro-choice and pro-gay rights advocates to the Pope's arrival ceremony. Mike Huckabee dubbed that a new low for an administration that would go down as the most anti-Christian in American history. The White House insists the Pope deserves a diverse audience.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is no theological test that was administered prior to giving of tickets.

ACOSTA: Even with these two leaders on the same page on so many issues, White House officials can see there could be moments when the Pope disagrees with the president. For example, on the subject of abortion, the president say they have some clue on what the Pope plans to say this week. But they're also bracing for plenty of surprises.

Jim Acosta, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: Now, Pope Francis will lead a mass shortly in Cuba before heading to the United States.

CHURCH: Now, CNN's Patrick Oppmann reports, the Pope has been warmly received during his four-day visit to the islands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PATRICK OPPMANN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: There is no way around it, Cuba is giving Pope Francis is giving Pope Francis the rock star treatment.

What a cool Pope, chanted by these young Cubans in Havana. Certainly much cooler than the weather. Even Cuba's scorching September sun couldn't prevent huge crowds from gathering to greet Pope Francis. Vatican officials said the Pope's Havana mass drew some 200,000 people. Something Cuban officials perhaps weary of Francis' star power have not confirmed. Here's a rare message of inclusiveness in a country that demands political conformity.

And you Cubans even if you think differently have different perspectives, he says, I want you to walk together. So you don't lose hope. Hope can be a luxury in Cuba, a country that was for nearly three decades officially atheist and where many Catholics face religious discrimination.

Francis took a few jabs at the socialism or death mentality of the communist-ran government.

Service is never ideological, he says, for we do not serve ideas, we serve people. Observers say Pope Francis is looking not to bring the revolution down just curb its repressive (Marxist).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Of course, impacted by the Cuba revolution, the whole generation was. He was deeply disappointed when Cuba went communist. And I was wondering whether Francis is now reminding Raul about what the revolution originally was before it went to Marxist.

OPPMANN: And the Pope Francis even met Raul Castro's brother, the Father of Marxism in Cuba, Fidel Castro. The Pope met the ailing former commandant at his home near Havana. Cuban (inaudible) showed rare images of Castro's children and the wife who apparently didn't know that wearing white when meeting the Pope is a right reserved to the Queens of Catholic countries. The Pope leaves Cuba on Tuesday to head to Washington, D.C.

Patrick Oppmann, CNN Havana.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: (Inaudible), clearly, they say he's now ready to hand back power. The general in command of the presidential guard behind the coup released a statement late on Monday saying he would free the Prime Minister and return power to an interim government. He took the interim president and several government members hostage last Wednesday. Soldiers marched on to the capital without resistance. Earlier, protesters rejected a proposal to end the coup, which would have granted to amnesty to the coup leaders. (Inaudible) barricades in several neighborhoods in the capital.

CHURCH: A corporate executive has been given the toughest penalty to date for a food poisoning outbreak. A 61-year-old Stewart Parnell was sentenced to a 28-year prison sentence for knowingly shipping out contaminated food. Tainted peanut butter paste linked to Parnell's company, led to a deadly Salmonella outbreak in 2008 that killed 9 people and made more than 700 people sick.

BARNETT: Now, to another story we're following to South America, where Venezuela and Colombia have agreed to deescalate a month-long military stand-off at their border. The presidents of both countries met in Ecuador to come out with the agreement which starts with immediate reinstatement of their ambassadors. The crisis began when Venezuela's president closed the border and began deporting Colombian migrants who he said were part of the smuggling operation.

CHURCH: Europe's leaders are hoping to find common ground as waves of migrants seek asylum within their borders. The latest just ahead in a live report.

BARNETT: Plus, Volkswagen busted. It is accused of rigging tests to lower emissions. How it worked and how you're impacted after this. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PEDRAM JAVAHERI, AMS METEOROLOGIST: This is Pedram Javaheri of CNN Weather Watch. Southwestern United States the area to be if you like rainfall and plenty of it coming in courtesy of a dying tropical depression over this region. To the East, some active weather across the Southeastern United States as well. Your temperatures with the moisture in place should cool off just a little bit to upper 20s, Atlanta, Chicago, mostly sunny autumn day about 26. Late summer day, 26. One day before we start autumn across the United States in the northern hemisphere. In Los Angeles, we get some morning clouds, afternoon sunshine.

But again, notice the wet weather is going to be locked in across the southwest, over six million people underneath flood watches at this point, near the states of Arizona and New Mexico. Also watching a record breaking storm system for the Central Pacific, this is the sixth main storm several hundred kilometers northwest of the Hawaiian Islands. It's going to be a storm eventually, remnants of an impact later on the week. But again, record books from the 1980s when it comes to the number of storms across that portion of the Pacific Ocean.

Now, across the Caribbean, temperatures generally about 31 to 32 degrees, 22 though around Guatemala City, some thunderstorms in the forecast there, and the pattern remains rather consistently wet around there. Panama temperatures there again in the mid-20s. But they will make it up to about 22 in Rio, 32 degrees with sunny skies there.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: Later today, EU ministers are meeting to talk about the urgent problem, the hundreds of thousands of migrants that are seeking refuge in Europe, and what we have covered extensively here in the CNN NEWSROOM. The countries disagree on what to do with some opposing the idea of enclosures. The talks today are in an attempt to form a consensus before an emergency of the leaders of EU leaders on Wednesday.

CHURCH: They just passed a law authorizing the military to use tear gas and other non-lethal force against migrants trying to cross to Austria. The Prime Minister called for the votes saying migrants were overrunning the country.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRANSLATOR: They are breaking the doors on us. Not a few hundreds, not a few thousands, but hundreds of thousands, even millions besieged the borders of Hungary and the European Union. We can't see where the end is. The successes are plenty. Millions are setting out on the journey.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: CNN's Senior International Correspondent Atika Shubert joins us now on the phone with more on what to expect today. Think of the major holdups here with these nations refusing to take in migrants. There have been threats of I don't know fines or perhaps financial penalties for nations that don't comply with the quota system. What are some of the ideas bouncing around today?

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, there a lot of different ideas. But the main idea for quotas is really being pushed by Germany. And this is basically an extension of its own system here in Germany, which is that different counties of Germany take on a different amount of refugees, depending on their unemployment, and how well they're doing economically. And what Germany wants to see is that extended to other countries. The problem is that countries like Hungary, the Czech Republic, they're saying, look, we don't have the resources to deal with this influx of refugees. Now, what they have all agreed on is take in an extra 120,000 that have come in through Germany -- excuse me, through Greece and Italy. The problem is where do they go? Hungary and a lot of the countries in Eastern Europe say they don't want to be forced to take in refugees. Germany says there may be penalties -- financial penalties, if they don't take them. So what they're talking about today is whether there will be financial incentives and penalties for taking or not taking refugees. And so far there's no agreement.

BARNETT: So what kind of time line are they at least trying to abide by, all indications are that while the changing season might slow the flow of migrants, but temperatures decreasing, it won't stop them. And of course, there's the concern of what will happen next year, the conflicts that the Syrians and others are running from, continuing to rage, are they at least trying to address this quickly?

SHUBERT: You know, the crisis is acute and it needs to be resolved urgently. And yet, the country that's pushing for this to be resolved immediately is Germany. Other countries such as Hungary and the Czech Republic are more focused on keeping migrants out, rather than resettling them within the EU. So what we're likely to see today is perhaps more agreement on how the frontiers of the EU will be patrolled, whether or not (inaudible) border agency of the EU, more funding and more resources. What will be done to keep refugees and migrants out? The problem is it's really not going to stop people from trying to cross. They're only going to find more dangerous ways to get into Europe. And this is what Germany and France, and other countries have been arguing. Unfortunately, even though the need is urgent, it's unlikely we will get a solution soon.

BARNETT: Yeah, just looking for that consensus. Atika Shubert from Berlin. We'll be getting updates from Atika throughout the day.

CHURCH: And in another story we're following, the Chief of Volkswagen in the U.S. says the company and I'm quoting here, totally screwed up. Environmental Protection Agency accused the automaker of cheating to pass Clean Air standards. The Wall Street Journal and other report Volkswagen could be facing a criminal probe. Officials say Volkswagen programmed some diesel-fueled cars to report lower emissions when tested.

BARNETT: Now software was installed in half a billion cars in U.S. roads including its luxury brand Audi. The CEO Martin Winterkorn has apologized saying Volkswagen has (inaudible) consumers and the public. The automaker may face up to $18 billion in fines.

CHURCH: Wow. And the scandal has hit the company's stock hard. Richard Quest explains just how bad it is and how the cheating worked.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RICHARD QUEST, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: If you want to see the effect, I'll start with the most important effect that we have seen. Look at the way the share price over the last five days, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Monday. If you look and you see exactly how far down 17 percent at the close, which for a stock like Volkswagen is absolutely huge. And when you look at the reasons why and you start to consider the number of models we're talking about, half a million cars, Jetta, Beetles, anything from 2009 to 2015. And what would happen is that when the cars were being tested, the engine computer recognized that the steering wheel wasn't moving and the way the wheels were actually turning and it knew that this was the characteristic -- it knew that it was the characteristic of a test, so it enabled the switch. And therefore, the emissions came down.

And once the car was back on the road, the computer recognized the wheels were turning, they were going in different ways, speeds were changing, and the switch flipped again. And of course, suddenly everything went off and greatly the emissions were greater because of the normal driving. Absolutely extraordinary how that this took place.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: Our Richard Quest. The issue wasn't just fuel economy or stock prices, there's an environmental layer to this. Some of the cars emitted 40 times the legal levels of nitrous oxide, which experts say can trigger asthma and other respiratory problems.

CHURCH: All right. We'll take a very short break here. But still to come, U.S. Presidential Candidate Ben Carson now says he could support a Muslim in the White House, but there's one precondition. That's just ahead.

Plus, China's president speaks out on hacking allegations ahead of his U.S. visit. The details on that coming up after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: A warm welcome back to the viewers here in the U.S. and those of you tuned in around the world. This is CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Errol Barnett.

CHURCH: Hello, I'm Rosemary Church. And it's time to check the main stories we're following this hour. European ministers are meeting today in Brussels to discuss how to resettle about 120,000 migrants who flocked in to Europe. The countries disagree about how to respond to this, which found rejecting calls for mandatory migrant quotas.

BARNETT: We have this news just in. We are getting word that two Canadians, a Norwegian, and a Filipino woman have been kidnapped from a resort in the Southern Philippines. They were reportedly taken Monday night on Samal Islands when officials say 11 armed suspects raided the resort. Right now, Philippines officials say there are no indications that kidnappings were carried out by the terrorist organization as the Abu Sayyaf group. The Canadian government says it is aware of the abductions and is working with the Philippines for release.

CHURCH: In other headlines, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker is ending his U.S. presidential bid. He is the second Republican to drop out of the race along with Former Texas Governor Rick Perry. Walker was among the early favorites in the crowded Republican field, but his support disappeared over the past few months.

BARNETT: And U.S. Presidential Candidate Ben Carson is trying to clarify his remarks that he would not support a Muslim candidate for the White House. Carson now says he could support them for president if they renounce Sharia law.

CHURCH: Carson isn't the first Republican candidate to face criticism for his comments on Muslims. Donald Trump failed to correct an audience member last week who said President Obama was a Muslim and not an American. I spoke early with political comedian and talk show host Dean Obeidallah.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN OBEIDALLAH, POLITICAL COMEDIAN AND TALK SHOW HOST: They're telling slightly different tales with the same end result, which is stoking the flames of you know hate and fear of Muslims in different ways. Ben Carson, very straightforward. Ben Carson, (Muslim Champion) candidate because Islam is incompatible with the constitution and incompatible with American values. Point blank, you got that. Donald Trump is much more subtle. He didn't stand up to (anthem less bigot) in an event on Thursday in New Hampshire. And he has also suddenly said things like well, maybe Obama is a Muslim, and that type of thing. And it wasn't sweet to attack us on 9/11. But you know, it essentially was Muslims.

At the same time, Donald Trump will say, I love Muslims. Muslims are my best friend, that kind of stuff. So you have Trump being a little bit more dog whistle or coded language. Ben Carson straight forward. And I think in reality, they know it plays with the Republican base. Poll after poll has shown Republicans, a majority think President Obama is a Muslim. And other Republicans, they have a much more negative view of Islam than the rest of America. So not just do they think Obama is a Muslim, they don't like Muslims. That's why they say he's a Muslim. They hate Obama and they don't like Muslims either.

And they think it's going to play in their base. Thankfully, a few people in this race, Lindsey Graham, Senator Ted Cruz in Texas stood up and said it was wrong. Chris Christie, the Governor of New Jersey said it was wrong, what Ben Carson was saying. So I think they're getting a little push and pull. We'll see who the GOP nominates, if they want someone (espousing) intolerant views, or they want to reject those intolerant views and nominate someone who is more embracing of the diversity of this country. CHURCH: Yeah, we'll certainly be watching the outcome. You mentioned

those polls. How surprised are you that a recent CNN ORC poll showed 29 percent of Americans think President Obama is a Muslim, and more than 15 percent of Trump supporters think the same thing, what does that tell you?

OBEIDALLAH: It tells you through years of demonization of Muslims by certain Republicans and to be quite honest, Fox News and certain other media outlets, has gotten hold and taken traction. We can't dismiss the fact there is ISIS and al-Qaeda, which are allowing -- you know, make their demonization resonate with people. Because they do scary images of ISIS, they do see scary images of al-Qaeda, and al-Shabaab. They're real and they're out there. But these people on the right -- certain, not all Republicans, have ginned up the hate of Muslim- Americans, to the point where it's really scary for them.

And you have the goal of Muslim communities and I'm part of it, is to reach out to our fellow Americans as many as we can to make it clear what we're really about. The reality is polls show only 25 percent of Americans have a Muslim friend. So I tell people on my radio show, I'll be your Muslim friend. And I mean that sincerely. People need to have that counterbalance.

CHURCH: Let's keep the conversation going.

OBEIDALLAH: I want to.

CHURCH: Yeah. Dean Obeidallah, thank you so much.

OBEIDALLAH: Thanks for having me.

CHURCH: It was a pleasure.

BARNETT: There are deepening concerns about Moscow's intentions in Syria, with the rapid buildup of combat equipment there, two U.S. officials say Russia started unmanned drones over the country in a surveillance operation. They couldn't confirm whether the drones were (inaudible).

CHURCH: A U.S. officials say Russia now has 25 fighter and attack aircraft in place. That's in addition to 15 helicopters, 9 tanks, and 3 surface air missile systems. About 500 personnel are on the ground.

BARNETT: Now, the expanding Russian presence brought Israeli Prime Minister to Moscow for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

CHURCH: Russia said the buildup is aimed at supporting Syria's regime. Matthew Chance reports the move comes with major risks.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Russia backs its Syria ally, already signs of a violence backlash. This video posted on online, purports to show an attack on government forces where the Russian buildup is taking place. TRANSLATOR: We declare today we're targeting the airport that has

been turned into the military base for the Russian army. They will not enjoy peace in Syria.

CHANCE: Moscow says its fight is with ISIS, the brutal Islamist group that has captured vast territory. But it is the array of others like the ISIS and the army of Islam that are challenging the Syrian government strong holds, the man that (inaudible) on Russia.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If it wants to protect Assad, it has to fight Islamists and main stream rebels, minus ISIS. Some of those rebels are aligned with regional actors like Turkey and the Gulf States. Others are actually like the coastal divisions are part of the free army that the United States has trained, and armed, and equipped over the years.

CHANCE: Russia's military buildup in Syria has been rapid. Latest satellite images show advanced aircraft, tanks, and missile systems, already on the ground. Syrian television has offered glimpses of other molded hardware, too, apparently engaged in the frontlines. It's the arrival of this hardware that (inaudible) countries like Israel. Its prime minister has been in Moscow seeking assurances about Russian intentions. But what they may be, how far Russia is prepare to go to back its Syrian government ally remains unclear.

Speaking in Moscow, alongside Benjamin Netanyahu, Vladimir Putin would give away a few words. All Russian actions in the Middle East have been and will be responsible.

With so many interests in play, including the U.S. military and their desire for Assad to be removed, events on the ground could yet spin out of control. Already Moscow says its embassy in Damascus has been shelved, Russia's Syrian gambit, putting it firmly in the firing line.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Moscow.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: We'll take a short break here.

Still to come, China does not hack. That's the official word from Chinese President Xi Jinping given in a wide-ranging interview ahead of his state visit to the United States. More of what he said in just a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: Just look at this incredible scene, it's what left of a home in Waxahachie, Texas. Police and firefighters arrived here after reports of a home explosion. Reports indicate several people were injured and two people were air-lifted to an area hospital. At least nine other homes that were also damaged in this massive blast, the cause of the explosion remains unknown, but it is under investigation.

CHURCH: Unbelievable pictures there. Well, Apple has changed the way we use our phones. And now, it's

working on something else we use every day. The Wall Street Journal reports that the tech company's latest project is an electric car, code name Titan. They cite people close to the project, target date to complete the vehicle has been set for 2019.

BARNETT: You hope for a car like that doesn't get hacked. Because Apple has pulled dozens of infected Chinese apps after a major attack affecting many programs in the iTunes app store. The mobile messaging app WeChat was among them, downloaded by 600 million people. All the affected apps were developed in China. Apple says the hack has made a bogus version of an Apple toolkit program, which fooled Chinese developers into downloading. Thus, infecting anything created with it because its software could trick customers into giving their iCloud passwords and opening dangerous websites.

CHURCH: China does not hack. That is what Chinese President Xi Jinping had to say in an interview ahead of his controversial U.S. visit.

BARNETT: Now, critics have said the White House should not host Mr. Xi amidst accusations. China sponsored cyber espionage against American companies.

And for more on this controversial visit, we want to Saima Mohsin who is live in Beijing. So, Saima, some analysts are suggesting this is the important trip the Chinese president has taken so far. Others say it will be a pretty rocky road with issues like cyber security, the economy, and of course territorial disputes from the center. What are the U.S. and China expectations for this visit and what are the main issues here?

SAIMA MOHSIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, there are a lot of issues on the table, and the expectations as you point out are very different. Now, before leaving for the trip, Chinese officials held a press conference where they said that science, technology, trade, agriculture even, and climate change was on their agenda. They will file a memorandum of understanding. But make no mistake, as far as the United States is concerned, it is cyber espionage and cyber security. This is what the White House had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BEN RHODES, WHITE HOUSE DEPUTY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR: What we're most focused on trade secrets and the ability of businesses to operate without the fear that they're going to be subjected to cyber attacks that steal their intellectual property.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MOHSIN: Well, in a Wall Street Journal article released today, the President Xi Janping and his advisers have responded to some questions where he said that the Chinese government doesn't engage in any kind of way of stealing intellectual rights or commercial secrets. He also said that the government doesn't encourage Chinese companies to do so, trying to distance himself from these controversial issues, and particularly the Chinese government. It's going on, Rosemary. It's going on not just by China, but a number of countries are involved in cyber espionage. The United States exposed for looking into domestic cell phone details as well. Of course, exposed by Edward Snowden as well. So, cyber espionage is going on. The concern is that China is doing that to build toward economic growth. And so, we're going to see a lot of push-me-pull-you kind of talks over the next few days. China wants to focus on other things, but the United States will still keep bringing it back to cyber security. Rosemary.

CHURCH: All right. We'll be watching and listening to see what comes out of this. Saima Mohsin reporting via live from Beijing. Many thanks

BARNETT: If you're joining us from England this morning, I have to tell you that there are powerful storms outside your window. They're causing some travel delays in the region as well. Our meteorologist Pedram Javaheri joins us with the bad news. You wake up and you hear this, but you ought to plan accordingly. So what's the situation?

JAVAHERI: The seasons are changing, you're feeling it quickly, right. We have received about 50 flights delayed this morning. The storm system is pretty easy to pick out over London and working its way just to the east. So there it goes, very slow-moving feature that's been in place. Look at the cool air that begins to (inaudible) bringing it in Thursday into Friday. And I'm here to tell you it's going to be short-lived. Long-term pattern looks like improving conditions as far as mild weather returning. But the winds really going to be howling with this. Of course, the culprit for some of these delays (inaudible) these runways across the airports.

But temperatures this morning, around 9 Celsius in Dublin, 11 so we're talking about 50 Fahrenheit. If you're watching us in the United States and various areas in London, the summer with about 24 hours to this very moment, less and before the summer of 2015 is officially over, might be remembered for the latter portion of July, where London hit 36.7 Celsius, nearing an all-time record for the country and pretty incredible when you're talking about near 100 degrees just a couple of months across that region.

But a quick glance of what is happening across the southeast, we do have severe storms rolling through portions of Athens, where we had major cancellations in place on Monday. In fact, (inaudible) on Monday as well, severe weather threat, on the scale of 1 to 3 is a 2 for (inaudible) to the east where again, some isolated waterspouts a possibility across this region.

But we'll leave you with these images coming out of Indonesia with an incredible situation taking place when in comes to the air quality concerns. We know fires have been (inaudible) across this area, but you look at the air quality index according to Environmental Protection Agency, if they categorized it anything above 300 is considered hazardous. Now, take a look at this observation coming out of (inaudible) sitting at the top of the charts, a 999. The only reason it's not going into the quadruple digits is because that's the highest the map there goes. So pretty incredible to see the air quality in some of these areas. And now we know respiratory infections are impacting 70,000 people in this region from the fires in the recent weeks.

BARNETT: Wow.

CHURCH: Unbelievable.

(CROSSTALK)

JAVAHERI: Thank you.

CHURCH: Well, we have something a little unusual on tap for you next, the Pope-themed beer inspired by the pontiff's visit to the U.S. Stay with us for that.

BARNETT: Yeah, a little too excited about that.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

DON RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORTS HEADLINES: Hi. I'm Don Riddell with CNN World Sport Headlines. Chelsea Striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct by the Football Association after his team's win against Arsenal last Saturday. Costa was seen to put his hands in the face of the Gunner's defender Laurent Koscielny before clashing with Gabriel. He was sent off in a match that ended 2-0 to the champions Chelsea. They also charged Gabriel with improper conduct. And both teams were failing to control their players. Arsenals are to appeal the sending-off and the three-match ban while Costa has until 6 p.m. British Summertime on Tuesday to respond to the charge.

Trinidad's Attorney General has approved the U.S. extradition hearing against former FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner. U.S. authorities want to trial the 72-year-old Trinidad native on charges on accepting millions of dollars in bribes. Warner has denied the charges and has been (inaudible) extradition.

The Rugby World Cup is taking a little breather. And there is no doubt about the biggest story so far, the greatest upset in the history of the sport, as Japan beat the Mighty South Africa. And Japan's coach Eddie Jones has warned their next opponent Scotland, that Japan want to be more than one-hit wonders. Japan (inaudible) as they left their brightened hotel, the Cherry Blossoms takes on the Scots on Wednesday.

And that's a quick look at your sports headlines. I'm Don Riddell.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: Welcome back. This weekend's Emmy awards broke a record for viewership. But it wasn't a good one.

CHURCH: The 67th Primetime Emmy's have the award's lowest ratings ever. Only 11.9 million viewers tuned in for the broadcast.

BARNETT: I'm surprised by that.

CHURCH: Yeah, I am. BARNETT: Well, the anticipation is building as Pope Francis begins his U.S. tour shortly. There are many official events planned for his visit.

CHURCH: Yeah. And there are also some unofficial ways Americans will pay tribute. Kate Amara from our affiliate WBAL shows us some Pope- themed beers meant for mass consumption.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE AMARA, WBAL: For Baltimore beer lovers, this is the Holy Grail.

Brewers aren't resurrection.

(Inaudible)

AMARA: And Resurrection Ale was featured on a carefully curated new menu, a beer menu for Pope Francis.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thought you know we absolutely had to have some really wonderful Pope-inspired beers.

AMARA: It is miraculous lineup, and you'll find it at Brookland Pint, just around the corner of the Basilica, sight of the Papal mass. They're serving up nearly two dozens religious-themed beers.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're going to be pouring Evil Twin, Double Barrel Jesus, as well as a very rare coffee version of an imperial stout they make called Even More Jesus.

AMARA: Also confirmed Five Monks, Hot God, and DuClaw's Divine Retribution. Another Baltimore entry.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's big, and thick, and rich, and picks up all this really nice oak, vanilla, bourbon.

AMARA: There's also (inaudible) Ail and Matilda slides on to the list with its religious back story.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lot of different beer styles, lot of different breweries. Only different countries.

AMARA: A lot of (inaudible), too, all seems fun on the surface, but there's serious thought behind this offering.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was definitely important for us to be respectful and humble about what we were doing.

AMARA: They are tapping into a centuries-old tradition, religion and beer. Monks have been brewing it for more than a thousand years.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There is a long, deeply rooted history that kind of intertwines.

AMARA: The secular and the sacred intersected once again in this neighborhood, where perhaps the Holy Father himself will pop in for a pint.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Did you have a special favorite there?

BARNETT: Well, Pope Francis was a bouncer back in the day.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

CHURCH: And thanks to Kate Amar from our affiliate WBAL. And thank you to you for watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Rosemary Church.

BARNETT: Yes, thank you to you indeed. I'm Errol Barnett. Stay tuned for another CNN NEWSROOM. Have a great day.