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Nancy Pelosi Talks FBI Reopening Clinton E-mail Probe; North Carolina, Florida Key to Road to 270; States; Obama Campaigning for Clinton in Chapel Hill, N.C., as Black Turnout Dips; Civilians in Danger of ISIS as Battle for Mosul Continues; Suspect in Custody for Ambushed, Killed Iowa Officers. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired November 02, 2016 - 13:30   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[13:30:26] WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Democrats have been attacking the FBI director's decision to inform Congress of his agency's review of newly discovered emails just days before the U.S. election. Those emails possibly relevant to Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server while serving as secretary of State.

Jamie Gangel sat down with the House minority leader, former speaker, Nancy Pelosi, for her take on the issue.

Jamie is joining us right now.

So what did she -- what did Nancy Pelosi tell you -- Jamie?

JAMIE GANGEL, CNN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT: So, Wolf, we started by asking Nancy Pelosi if she thinks FBI Director Comey's actions have interfered with the race. She said, yes, I do. She also thinks that it is causing problems.

And here's more of what she said.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), HOUSE MINORITY LEADER: I am an admirer of Comey in terms of what he has done in the past. I think he made a mistake on this. And he clearly has a double standard when it comes to Donald Trump and -- or the -- or just keep him out of it, just when it came to the hacking by the Russians that the highest confidence of our intelligence community says the Russians did this. I know it privately because of being hacked by the Russians.

And he says, well, it's too close to the elections to talk about that. And yet it's not too close to the election to talk about the emails that he says may not be significant.

I think he's made a mistake and these jobs, if you're not in it for a while, you can't take the heat. And I think he just couldn't take the heat from the Republicans.

GANGEL: Do you think he should resign? PELOSI: No, I -- I'm not going to that point. I think that we

have to just get through this election and just see what the casualties are along the way.

GANGEL: Do you think Hillary Clinton used bad judgment in having Huma Abedin as such a close aide in all of this?

PELOSI: The relationships that people have is something that I'm not going to comment on, though. Huma is a lovely person. She has the confidence of Hillary Clinton. They're friends. I think Huma Abedin used bad judgment in marrying Anthony Weiner, so if you wanted to ask about questions like that.

But I think that Hillary's respect for Huma Abedin goes back a long way and their friendship is important.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: So, Jamie, the polls are clearly tightening right now.

Does Nancy Pelosi think this latest email scandal, if you want to call it that, is hurting Hillary Clinton where it counts, in the ballot box?

GANGEL: Right. Well, look, Wolf, clearly, all the Democrats are very unhappy about what FBI Director Comey did and -- and this announcement. And obviously, you can't ignore the polls.

But she said she really feels that in the end, it will help get out the vote, that it's going to energize the base.

So, you know, Democrats have been worried about voters being complacent or not enthusiastic enough to get out to vote for Hillary.

So, you know, as -- as we've seen, nobody is happy with what FBI Director Comey did on the Democratic side, but you can see in both her remarks, President Obama's interview with CNN, that they're not shying away from raising the issue, because it gets -- they happen, gets the vote out -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Jamie, thanks very much.

Coming up, early voting numbers revealing a big problem for Hillary Clinton. Turnout among African-Americans in early voting states is down. President Obama likely to address this when he takes the stage in North Carolina later is afternoon. Live pictures from there. The so-called Obama coalition, which twice elected him president, to help Hillary Clinton? We'll discuss when we come back.

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[13:38:39] BLITZER: With only six days left, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, they are in the final stretch of this campaign marathon. The candidates and surrogates are fanning out across the country today. It's one of the last chances they have to convince people to get out and vote. Let's bring in CNN Politics executive editor, Mark Preston, at

the CNN decision desk.

Mark, you're focusing in on two battleground states, Florida and North Carolina. What are you seeing in those states?

MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICS EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Wolf, as you said, six days to Election Day. More than 24 million people have actually voted across the country. Two key states we want to really focus in on are states that are the key to the road to 270.

Look at North Carolina right now. Let's look at the breakdown here. You have Democrats at this point have a 219,000 vote advantage over Republicans in return ballots. Sounds like it's good news, except when you look where they were in 2012. They had a 292,000 vote advantage at that time. So clearly a bit of a drop-off from four years ago. Why is that? As you can see from these numbers right here, Wolf, right here you have the African-American drop-off vote right here, as well as just a little bit of an uptick of the Hispanic vote. But this is troublesome. Barack Obama will be in North Carolina to rally those voters.

[13:39:59] Let us go to the state of Florida right now, Wolf. When you look at Florida, about 3.5 million people have voted already. But you know what? Where are they right now? Republicans have a slight advantage in the state of Florida right now when it comes to this, Wolf. They have about a 9,000 vote lead in returned ballots at this point. However, if we go deeper into 2008, look at that, Democrats had a 50,000 vote advantage at this same time. So, again, troublesome.

Let's look into the Obama coalition, part of the Obama coalition that was very helpful to him winning. African-Americans are responsible for about 12 percent of returned absentee ballots at this point. Go back, though to 2008, there was a possibility of 15.1 percent. So you're seeing a decrease among African-American voters by 3.2 percent in return ballots. The good news for Democrats, this number right here at the bottom, Wolf. The Hispanic vote is up 4.5 percent than it was over in 2008. Barack Obama, again, in North Carolina today, Wolf. He'll also return there on Wednesday. And, of course, Donald Trump is in Florida campaigning -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Thank you so much, Mark Preston, for that.

Just moments ago, President Obama boarded Air Force One for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where he'll speak at a campaign event for Hillary Clinton later this afternoon.

That's where my next guest is now, Democratic Congressman G.K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Congressman, thank very much for joining us.

REP. G.K. BUTTERFIELD, (D), NORTH CAROLINA & CHAIR, CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS: Thank you, Wolf. Good afternoon.

It's electric here in Chapel Hill, awaiting the arrival of the president.

BLITZER: I'm sure it is.

Let me ask you this. The African-American voter turnout, you just heard, is slightly down in North Carolina at this point in early ballot voting than it was four years ago. Are you concerned that the -- the motivation is not there in big numbers for African-Americans to go up, to show up and vote as they did for President Obama back in 2012 and 2008?

BUTTERFIELD: No, the motivation is here. I don't think it's a good comparison to look at 2012, because we've just gone through a 500-year flood with Hurricane Matthew.

Let me tell you, as of yesterday, 465,000 African-Americans had voted in North Carolina. That's a 30 percent turnout. And we still have six days to go in this election. North Carolina is poised to win this victory for Hillary Clinton, and to win a Senate seat in our state. The name of this game is turnout, and we are actively engaged in voter turnout across the state.

We also are playing defense because the Republicans are saying they are going to intimidate African-American try to nullify their votes. We are playing offense and defense.

But you should know that two million people have already voted in North Carolina, 43 percent of those are Democrat, 31 percent are Republican. North Carolina's not sleeping. We are wide awake in this election. Our eyes are wide open and we're watching the Republicans every day.

BLITZER: President Obama says, as you know, he's counting on Hillary Clinton to continue his legacy. On the Tom Joiner morning show today, the president made an appeal to African-American voters that don't necessarily feel as enthusiastic as they did when they voted for him four and eight years ago.

Listen to what the president said.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA (voice-over): And I know that there are a lot of people in barber shops and beauty salons, you know, in the neighborhoods, who are saying to themselves, well, you know, we love Barack, we especially love Michelle and so, you know, it was exciting, and now we're not excited as much. And, you know what? I -- I need everyday to understand that everything we've done is dependent on me being able to pass the baton to somebody who believes in the same things I believe in. And so if you really care about my presidency and what we've accomplished, then you are going to go and vote. But if we let this thing slip, and I've got a situation where my last two months in office are preparing for a transition to Donald Trump, whose staff people have said that their primary agenda is to have him in the first couple weeks sit in the Oval Office and reverse every single thing that we've done.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: So, Congressman, how effective is that message to the African-American community?

BUTTERFIELD: It's hugely effective. African-Americans are paying attention to this election because we know so much is at stake. Not only do we have the Supreme Court that hangs in the balance but domestic policy as well. African-American communities will suffer tremendously, not only under Republican rule, but with Donald Trump at the helm, we are going to be neglected and will be set back for generations. We've got to get this right. African-Americans are attuned to this and we are prepared to vote in unprecedented numbers. I believe that by the time election day comes, you will see a greater than 70 percent turnout of African-American voters in North Carolina, because we get it.

[13:45:22] BLITZER: Congressman G.K. Butterfield, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, from North Carolina, thanks so much for joining us.

BUTTERFIELD: Well, thank you.

We're awaiting the arrival of the president, and this city is absolutely electric, as is the state is as well. We are fully engaged in this election. The president's going to be back on Friday and two more venues across our state. North Carolina is a battleground for sure.

BLITZER: He's working really hard for Hillary Clinton right now. We'll see how he does in North Carolina and a bunch of other states as well.

Congressman, thanks once again.

Coming up, there's other news we're following, important news right now. Civilians in the ISIS-held town of Mosul are said to be in grave danger right now. The terror group is getting more desperate as Iraqi forces push further into the besieged city. We're going there live. We'll have a live report from the front lines, right after this.

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[13:50:09] BLITZER: Welcome back. We're going to have much more on the presidential race in the United States in just a few moments.

But I want to bring you another major story we're following right now, the battle for Mosul.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(CROSSTALK)

GUNFIRE)

(END VIDEO CLIP) BLITZER: As the sounds of gunfire ring out and bullets rain

down, Iraqi forces slowly inching towards the town of Mosul. They have encountered ISIS snipers, IEDs and mortar shelling.

Our senior international correspondent, Arwa Damon, has just returned from the front lines. Arwa is joining us live.

Arwa, tell us about what you've seen and how this battle is progressing.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, as the counterterrorism unit that we were in has been pushing towards the city of Mosul itself. They've come across what are fairly common ISIS tactics, the suicide bombers you are mentioning there, but also roads in lane with IEDs. But in the particular incidents today, we were in the Humvee with them, and over the radio, we could hear the chatter, and it was civilians who, on more than one occasion, were telling the troops where ISIS buried these roadside bombs. They were then able to detonate them and push forward.

Some fairly intense clashes in some instances, a lot of mortar fire being traded, especially the closer we got to the city of Mosul itself. The front line as it currently stands, where we were earlier today, is around 600 feet from the first Mosul residential neighborhood that troops would potentially be entering, and in that particular area there was a lot of mortar, rocket and sniper fire that the soldiers position there had were telling us.

We also came across a number of civilians, some were trying to stay in their homes, but others were trying to flee, trying to get anywhere as far away as they could. And, Wolf, some of the stories they were telling us were horrific.

BLITZER: It's an incredible story unfolding right now, Arwa. You've spoken to civilians who have been liberated. What are they telling you?

DAMON: A lot of them are very relieved. They are also wary, though. Remember, the last time these people in Mosul and on the outskirts of it interacted with the Iraqi security forces, that was when they basically abandoned their positions, fled, and left them to their fate of being ruled by ISIS. So there's a lot of trust that needs to be built there. And it is starting to being building in these initial stages.

And as I was saying, the stories they have are really chilling stories of being detained, stories of having loved ones executed. But the most horrific of all, Wolf, was the story of a woman who was enslaved by ISIS, raped, and she gave birth to a son. She told us all she could do is pray that she never has to tell him who his father is.

BLITZER: Arwa Damon reporting for us. Arwa, thank you so much.

Let's get the latest now in the investigation into a pair of deadly ambush-style police shootings in the United States in Iowa, this morning. Police have a man in custody. Scott Michael Greene has not been arrested but police say they consider him a suspect in the killings of the Des Moines police sergeant, Anthony "Tony" Babendio (ph), and Urbandale police officer, Justin Martin. Police say both officers were gunned down while sitting in their patrol cars. They were found two miles apart from one another. Police say several shots had been fired at both scenes. Police say Greene was later found walking down a road of West Des Moines. He flagged down a government worker, showed his I.D. and asked the worker to call 911.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SGT. PAUL PARIZEK, PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, DES MOINES POLICE DEPARTMENT: Deputies in the Dallas (ph) County Sheriff's Office and troops from the Iowa State Patrol responded. Mr. Greene was taken into custody without incident. He complained of some kind of flare-up of some kind of existing medical condition so he's been taken to the hospital as a precaution.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Hillary Clinton's campaigned canceled an event in Iowa with Bill Clinton and Tim Kaine in light of the shootings. Republican Donald Trump tweeted, "Praying for the families of the two Iowa police who were ambushed this morning. An attack on those who keep us safe is an attack on all of us."

Coming up, a closer look back to the 2004 presidential campaign and which famous faces were out on the trail with only six days left to go.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[13:54:36] LEONARDO DICAPRIO, ACTOR & 2004 JOHN KERRY SUPPORTER: This may very well be the defining election of our lifetime. I certainly believe it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

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BLITZER: It's only six days out, and the presidential election -- for the presidential election. Trump is spending today pitching to voters in Florida. Clinton was in Florida earlier today. Later, she'll be in Nevada and Arizona. Friday, by the way, she'll head over to Detroit to shore up her support in Michigan.

Back in 2004, just six days before voters went to the polls, then-President George W. Bush was also making a play for Michigan.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm here in Michigan today and tomorrow. I'll be back on Saturday. I'm here --

(CHEERING)

BUSH: -- to ask for the vote and to ask for your help.

(CHEERING)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: His opponent, Democrat John Kerry, went to a state he knew well at that point in the campaign, Iowa.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN KERRY, (D), SECRETARY OF STATE & FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I spent 90 days here. I'm almost qualified to pay taxes.

(LAUGHTER)

You know, I used to tell people that I learned how to measure my life by the height and color of your corn. You know, I was --

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Those last-minute pushes didn't work for either candidate. Bush lost Michigan and Kerry lost Iowa.

That's it for me. Thanks for watching.

The news continues right now on CNN.