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Oprah And Pence Face Off in Close Georgia Race; Trump Draws Criticism for Online Video Using Violent Imagery About Latinos; Democrats Push Healthcare as GOP Pushes Fear of Migrants; Google Employees Around the World Walk Out in Protest; Whitey Bulger's Attackers Tried to Cut Out His Tongue. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired November 01, 2018 - 14:00   ET

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


[14:00:00] BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Hi there, I'm Brooke Baldwin. Thanks for being with me today. We begin with the battle of big names, you have Oprah Winfrey versus Vice President Mike Pence. They are stumping for their candidates in one of the most intensely watched races in next Tuesday's high-stakes election.

I am talking about who will become the governor of Georgia? It's going to be Republican Brian Kemp or Democrat Stacey Abrams. The race is neck and neck. He is a Trump Republican. She could become the nation's first African-American female governor. Now, Oprah is in the Atlanta area campaigning for Abrams right now and just about 90 minutes away, Pence is trying to get out the vote for Kemp.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OPRAH WINFREY, MEDIA MOGUL: We as women people need to stand united and vote our values. Vote your values, vote your conscience. All this noise, all the noise, you just can't get away from it, you turn on the tv, it's so much noise and crazy talk. All the vitriol and the ads, you know what, they are designed to confuse and confound you with fear. That's what they're doing. They're designed to confound you with fear. They are not designed for people with discernment. Women people, we have discernment. When we all unite, I know for sure a change is going to come. So, I'm here today to support a change maker. She's a woman who dared believe that she could change the state of Georgia.

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT: Brian Kemp's getting the support of all kind of hard working, good people all across Georgia. Stacey Abrams is being bankrolled by Hollywood liberals, sending their support into the state and some of them come into the state. Like I heard Oprah's in town today. I heard Will Ferrell was going door to door the other day. I'd like to remind Oprah and Stacey and Will Ferrell, I'm kind of a big deal, too. I got a message for all of Stacey Abrams' liberal Hollywood friends, this ain't Hollywood. This is Georgia.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Let's go to Georgia. Let's go to CNN's Drew Griffin for us in Dalton, following the speech there from the Vice President. Just staying on him for a minute because listening to his whole speech, it sounded like he really hammered home what the President has been these last several days on immigration.

DREW GRIFFIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, it was a true red meat speech delivered in really the reddest of the red part of this red state, northwest Georgia. Up here we're closer to Tennessee than we are to Atlanta, Brooke. He was speaking to the party faithful, talking about the illegal immigration crisis in this country, calling it an assault on our country that will not be allowed to the chants of build that wall. I think in both of these campaigns you have this razor thin edge between the two in terms of the polls and now it's really about making sure that you are speaking to your base, trying to get your base excited and getting those people out to vote. That is why Stacey Abrams is sticking around the Atlanta area. That's why Mike Pence and Brian Kemp are hopscotching over Atlanta to come to places like here in Dalton or down to savannah or Augusta, Georgia. We have the final stretch going on. The President is coming on Sunday. President Obama is coming here tomorrow for Stacey Abrams. All-hands- on-deck trying to pull out the last votes in this very contentious and very tight election. Brooke?

BALDWIN: Five days to go. Drew Griffin in Georgia, thank you so much. Meantime President Trump is hitting a new low, showing just how high the stakes are for just Tuesday's elections. He has tweeted out a new campaign video that is racist, it is factually wrong, and it may be the dirtiest fight he has ever picked on the campaign trail. Once again, he is focusing on the caravan of migrants hundreds of miles from the U.S. border.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He says he wants to apply for pardon for the felony he committed, attempted murder.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[14:05:00] BALDWIN: That's a piece of it. We're not going to play the whole thing for you. Our CNN crew on the ground reported mothers and children seeking haven from criminals in their own countries and trying to flee the threats to save their own lives. That video singles out a convicted murderer who received the death penalty and the White House source said the web video was designed to change the immigration argument from, quote, family unification to invasion. With me, someone who is dedicated to serving, she is board chairwoman of the Nonpartisan, Valerie Jarrett, welcome.

VALERIE JARRETT, Board Chairwoman Of "The Nonpartisan": Thank you, Brooke.

BALDWIN: I've got to get your reaction to that video that the President tweeted out to this whole effort by Trump.

JARRETT: Look, it's just a sad page from an old play book called political fear mongering 101. We've seen it used time and time and time again. It's designed to scare people and to motivate them to not focus on the issues that are really important to be distract them from issues that as I travel around the country I hear about from every day Americans, issues like health care. Today is the first day to enroll in the exchanges. I hear so many people are worried about losing their health care. Or the fact that we send our children to school and they have to go through active shooter drills. That never happened when I was growing up or you were growing up. So, there are some real issues that Americans should be focusing on and these are just distractions intended to scare and intimidate.

BALDWIN: This is a clip of President Trump speaking the truth about speaking the truth.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I do try. I always want to tell the truth. When I can, I tell the truth. Sometimes it turns out to be where something happens it's different or there's a change but I always like to be truthful.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: When I can, I tell the truth. The irony here is that was actually a pretty honest moment from the President. My question is why do you think his Republican supporters not only dismiss but embrace his lies?

JARRETT: I have no insight there, Brooke, but I do think that our leaders are role models. Young people are watching. I think what's most appealing are role models that really are role models who have character and integrity and appreciate the importance of the truth and speak it, not when it's convenient about all of the time.

BALDWIN: Let's talk about your party. Earlier this month former A.G. Eric Holder said this when talking about what he referred to as the new Democratic party. Here he was.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIC HOLDER, FORMER AG: They say when they go low, we go high. No, no. When they go low, we kick them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: There is a debate in the Democratic party about whether you should fight fire with fire, kick them, or take more of Obama's idealistic approach. Which do you think is best?

JARRETT: I think President Obama and Mrs. Obama, it wasn't so much realistic, it was pragmatic. It's people to take the long view appreciate the fact that we are at our best when we focus on what we have in common.

BALDWIN: So, would you disagree with what Eric Holder just said?

JARRETT: I think he was actually kidding in a large part, as he said later on. I think what he was trying to say was we have to provide some contrast and I think contrast is what elections are all about. I think what the Democratic party stands for is a big tent, an inclusive tent, really a tent that stays true to our ideals of character and integrity and appreciating that our strength comes from our diversity and that it's OK to have different ideas as long as we stay true to true north and that is a country where everybody has an opportunity to achieve their dreams, where everybody gets a fair shot and where we do not folks on polarizing ourselves through our differences but really what we have in common.

BALDWIN: We're coming off a particularly hate-laced week. The anti- defamation league said far right extremists are responsible for 59 percent of extremist related deaths. That is up 20 percent. Valerie, to what or to whom do you attribute that?

JARRETT: I think we are at a very tough time in our country. It is an inflexion point. The reason why I wanted to come on your show, Brooke, was to talk about the importance of voting. Our democracy works at its best when people are engaged. Our voice is really reflected in our vote. So, if that is true, then our voice will only have power if we vote.

[14:10:00] So, we're encouraging through this nonpartisan effort that every American should register, every American should vote. Don't let laws that are out there designed to suppress the vote, which are cowardly to get in your way. Learn how to protest that. There are ways you can empower this nonpartisan effort that every American should register, every American should vote. Don't let laws that are out there designed to suppress the vote, which are cowardly to get in your way. Learn how to protest that. There are ways you can empower yourself, even if you're knocked off the rolls and you can go on whenweallvote.org and figure out when and how we can vote. Use your voice. Don't let anybody disenfranchise you and certainly don't disenfranchise yourself.

BALDWIN: It's been said if they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair. Why do you think so many people decided to bring a folding chair?

JARRETT: I think they are concerned and they recognize that their voice is important. I think having spent eight years in Washington that Congress would have done a far better job for all Americans if there were more women at the table. I'm just delighted to see so many women getting involved right now and running for office. Look, it's not for the faint at heart. It's hard to put yourself out there in this kind of a toxic environment, but it is more important than ever. So, I congratulate those who are getting involved and earning that seat at the table, fighting for that seat at the table. I just wish we had more women who wanted to do it.

BALDWIN: Speaking of fighting in the midterms, leader Nancy Pelosi was on with Steven Colbert. They were talking about whether Democrats would win back the House. She turned to the camera and said, "we will win." Do you think she was putting the cart before the horse? Doesn't who shows up affect that?

JARRETT: Of course, it does. I think what leader Pelosi was referencing is what she's hearing as she travels around the country and that's an enormous amount of momentum and enthusiasm. I agree with you, Brooke. What ultimately matters is who shows up. Momentum only counts if it translates into people showing up at the ballot box, which is why I want to encourage every American to appreciate that our democracy rests on voter's participation. Otherwise you end up with potentially a fringe group or special interests who are setting the priorities and the values of our country and that's not as it should be. It is on all of to us accept the most basic responsibility of citizenship and that is to vote.

BALDWIN: As the chair of when we all vote, given everything you know, what do you think the headline will be Wednesday morning when it comes to who showed up to vote?

JARRETT: I think we're going to see record numbers of people who show up. I think we're going to find that people who have felt traditionally left out seizing that power and recognizing the importance of showing up and voting. We've cast a big net all across our country. We've reached out far and wide to try to encourage people to step up to the plate. So, I'm hopeful. But I'm also mindful that traditionally in midterm elections people don't show up in record numbers. We're hoping that that changes this time. Again, the only way that we are confident that the majority rules is if the majority actually steps up to the plate and votes for their candidate.

BALDWIN: Last question so far. In terms of enthusiasm of midterms, 25,000 people have already voted early. So clearly there is massive interest in this midterm election. For the Democrats who are voting, Valerie, do you think they are showing up more because they want to vote against Trump or because they are voting passionately for a Democrat?

JARRETT: You know, I think most people show up to vote for something. I think that the candidates that I've seen running in the Democratic party and now I'm speaking as an individual, not as the head of a nonpartisan organization, I think the message, the positive, affirmative message is resonating with them. I see enthusiasm from many of the Democratic candidates out there earning the respect of the voters and earning that positive agenda you also have to provide some contrast because people are choosing between two candidates. You have to show why you are the best candidate, why your message is one that demonstrates you have their best interests at heart and you will tell them the truth, even when the truth is hear of hard and you will inspire in them a willingness to trust you. I have been so heartened to see so many candidates around the country who are doing just that, Brooke.

BALDWIN: Valerie Jarrett, for when we all vote, thank you so much.

[14:15:00] Just in to CNN, developments involving former Trump adviser Roger Stone. And what Steve Bannon could be revealing to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. We have those details ahead. Also, why Google employees all around the world, India, Tokyo, Europe, New York are walking out of their offices today in protest. The changes they're demanding and how Google's management is responding.

And pretty gruesome stuff, we're learning. They tried to cut out his tongue. Chilling details emerging about whitey bulger's final moments before he was beaten to death in prison. New details on who may be responsible. You're watching CNN. I'm Brooke Baldwin.

[14:20:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Just in, a new development in a case that could further tie Trump campaign insider Roger Stone to the WikiLeaks release of the Hillary campaign. What do you have?

SARAH MURRAY, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: What we have now courtesy of Roger himself, who decided to write a column about it for "The Daily Caller" is an e-mail exchange he had with Steve Bannon in October of 2016 during the Presidential campaign. Steve Bannon writes, "what was that this morning?" Roger Stone says, "serious security concern, he thinks they're going to kill him and the London police are standing down," I think is what he meant there. "However, a load every week going forward."

A lot of people were scratching their head saying does Assange really have anything, is he still going to dump any more documents in October? This is Roger predicting more documents are going to come. He said Assange said there was more to come. He appeared to be getting in front of a the "New York Times" story saying Mueller's team is looking at these e-mails, as well as various other contacts Roger may have had about Julian Assange and about WikiLeaks. They were trying to discern whether he had this back channel to WikiLeaks and it gets to all of these associates we know around roger who have been called in to appear before the grand jury or provide interviews to the special counsel. The big lingering question, Brooke, is whether prosecutors are going to be able to figure out if it was just roger stone out there blustering and bluffing as he insists it is or whether he did have some kind of inside track to WikiLeaks.

BALDWIN: Sarah Murray, thank you very much for that. Coming up next, five days, President Trump says the so-called blue wave is dead. CNN has brand new polls from two critical states showing just how tight some of those races are, including Florida's senate and gubernatorial contests. And chilling details about Whitey Bulger's final moments before he was beating to death in this maximum-security prison in West Virginia. Was he killed over a grudge?

[14:25:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: We're learning new gruesome details about Tuesday's murder of notorious mobster James "Whitey" Bulger. Federal law enforcement says he was beaten to death, to the point where he was unrecognizable. They say they believe multiple inmates were involved and at least one has New England mafia ties. The "New York Times" quoted sources saying they gained access to Bulger's cell, wheeled him into a corner, and beat him with a padlock inside a sock and that they tried to cut him tongue out. The "Boston Globe" reports that Bulger had helped frame one of his friends for murder. Prosecutors say Bulger's death is being investigated as a homicide. With me now, Shelly Murphy, author of "Whitey Bulger, America's Most Wanted Gangster." she has covered organized crime in the Boston area since 1980. Shelly, nice to see you. Incredibly gruesome about what we're learning has happened. What are you hearing about Whitey Bulger's final moments of life? SHELLY MURPHY, AUTHOR OF "WHITEY BULGER, AMERICA'S MOST WANTED

GANGSTER": It sounds like his final moments were everybody bit as brutal and merciless as the murders that he committed, that the details are that, yes, you know, two inmates at least were seen walking into his cell in the morning that he was brutally beaten, there were scratches around his eyes, indicating that maybe they tried to gouge his eyes out. By all accounts a very brutal end. This from a guy who inflicted, you know, he tortured his victims. So, his end was very much like his own crimes.

BALDWIN: Shelly, you've covered him for years. You wrote the book on him. When you first heard he'd been killed in his cell, what was your immediate reaction?

[14:30:00] MURPHY: I was stunned frankly. I was stunned. I believed an inmate of his high-profile nature, not only because of all the enemies he earned within the underworld and within the mafia but also because we knew he'd been a long-time FBI informant. Generally, the Bureau of Prisons puts people like that in places that they consider safe. Earlier he had been at a prison in an area with like convicted sex offenders, with gang members who had disavowed their gang affiliations. I think he had reason to believe that he was safe in general population in Arizona and in Coleman, but Hazelton was a completely different place. I think it was stunning that he arrived there and was put in a place where anybody in that unit could walk into his cell.

BALDWIN: Does it sound in any way like a setup? Why was he even sent to this maximum-security prison in West Virginia in the first place?