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Pulse of the People; Ginsburg's Final Days; Documentary on John Lewis. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired September 25, 2020 - 08:30   ET

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

[08:30:00]

THADDEUS JONES, JR., SOUTH CAROLINA VOTER WHO SUPPORTS BIDEN: Candidate Biden.

RENE RODRIGUEZ, FLORIDA VOTER WHO SUPPORTS BIDEN: My (INAUDIBLE) issue is, it's -- I want to return to some kind of a status quo. It is great to renegotiate some trade deals that I don't think were right. But, hey, if you frame that on the chaos and racial division that we're living in today, I don't want it.

SEAN ROBERTS, FLORIDA VOTER WHO SUPPORTS TRUMP: I'm going to respond a little differently from the guests. I think the president is making every effort to do his best for people of color and people that are not of color. We can help the current president make things better for all of us. So I just think that the president is bringing us together because, you know, I go to his events and when I go to those events I feel comfortable. I don't feel threatened. And basically what he's saying is that, you know, let's make our country that we all live in great. And that's including everyone.

ALEXIS FROST CAZIMERO, CALIFORNIA VOTER WHO SUPPORTS TRUMP: I think he's doing a phenomenal job and I'm -- he has my vote. Absolutely. Absolutely.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: At what part is he doing a phenomenal job on?

CAZIMERO: That he fights for my rights so I can most definitely make my own decisions. That's my number one thing.

CAMEROTA: In what issues?

CAZIMERO: Like I feel like living here in California, a lot of things have been stripped -- a lot of my rights have been stripped, for instance, like about the masks. You know, of course, yes, you should wear a mask, and why isn't he wearing a mask? Well, that's his -- that's his opinion, right? Isn't that his choice?

CAMEROTA: Though you wear a mask because you're conscientious about your neighbors, you want the freedom to not wear a mask?

CAZIMERO: Yes. Yes. Yes. I want -- I don't want it such like a -- like a -- you have to and it's like a bad thing if you don't. CAMEROTA: OK.

Dan, your top issue?

DAN CARTER, CONNECTICUT VOTER WHO SUPPORTS TRUMP: I think my top issue really is about the economy, specifically my economy in my state, because, you know, I look at what Biden's proposing on the tax increases on the wealthy, it's all about soaking the rich. You know, I don't -- there are a lot of things I don't like about Trump. I mean I wish I could cut off his thumbs and he would stop tweeting and it would just be quite. But, you know, the truth of the matter is, policy wise, he's not done that bad. And if we want to fix racial injustice in this country, one of the best thing, the foundation, is fix the economy. And I think we have a better chance of doing that going forward than with Joe Biden. And, you know, this whole war on the suburbs, saying that Joe Biden's talking about, we're already kind of seeing that in Connecticut where I am. And --

CAMEROTA: But what part of war on the suburbs? I mean are you listening --

CARTER: Yes.

CAMEROTA: Well, what has Joe Biden said that is a war on the suburbs?

CARTER: Yes. It's -- if you go -- even on his website, you go through and read the policies, right, things like the Home Act. There are some -- there are some things in the bottom of that with respect to local zoning. Like basically taking control of local zoning and saying, well, you can't do it because if you have local zoning then you're excluding everybody. And it's a very heavy-headed approach to taking over local politics. That's the way I view it.

CAMEROTA: None of you mentioned what's going on with the Supreme Court right now. Any of you motivated by what's happened with the Supreme Court? Show of hands.

OK, so four of you. Thaddeus, you had your hand up first. What do you see?

JONES: I see hypocrisy. I see, you know, the Republican Congress is basically doing everything they said they wouldn't do. You know, this is too fast to put -- to put someone in the seat. The American people aren't going to get a say in it. It's basically going to be a rush job.

CAMEROTA: Has it made you more motivated?

JONES: I think that it definitely made me change my local vote in my Senate race here.

CAMEROTA: How so?

JONES: Previously, I was considering possibly voting for Lindsey Graham.

CAMEROTA: And why were you going to vote for Lindsey Graham?

JONES: He has done some things with the -- with the ports here in Charleston, creating, you know, some jobs here in South Carolina. I am very -- I mean, that's what we need here, jobs. But this fellow is just not a man of his word.

FELICIA RAND, OHIO VOTER WHO SUPPORTS BIDEN: This is just a weird election year. I mean it just feels like everybody is like doing the absolute most to try to like push through whatever it is that they want to happen. And it's not always in our favor, I feel like, so --

RODRIGUEZ: I agree. I see a lot of hypocrisy. I see them -- I remember very vividly what happened in 2016 when Scalia died. And I remember the comments of all the -- and to some extent I agreed with them at that point. Now they are all turning around on their (INAUDIBLE) on their own position to their favor.

CARTER: There's a lot of hypocrisy on both sides right now, unfortunately. You know, this has come around many times. It happened in 2016. And at that time, Obama appointed somebody, which he should have, and the Senate should -- should have given Garland a hearing.

I do hope they appoint somebody to the -- to the bench who is not an activist either way and who believes in the precedent of law and, as we move forward, that, you know, we need to get that in place as soon as we can.

[08:35:06]

That's reasonable.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: You know, it is so interesting because there's are so many major news events these days and every new, big thing that happens, one raises the question, oh, will this change the outcome of the election, will this be the thing? No. I mean there are broad structural things at play here that matter much more, I think, than any one singular thing. I mean that one voter said that he may change his vote in the Senate race. But by and large, the polls that have shown the Supreme Court nomination probably won't change many votes.

CAMEROTA: Well, that's true. I mean, obviously, it's your own kitchen table that is most important.

BERMAN: Yes.

CAMEROTA: But I did think that it was interesting that -- how many of them said off the get-go that the racial tension -- I mean I've just -- I keep going back to what Felicia on the top row there said, that she's tired of seeing people of color being slaughtered for sport and that's what's driving her, she said, to the polls.

BERMAN: Great to hear from so many people.

CAMEROTA: Yes, thank you. Thanks so much for watching, everybody. Let me know what you think. Obviously, you can find me on social media.

This morning, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is still making history. She's about to become the first woman to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

We're also learning brand-new details about the final weeks of her life. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:40:14]

BERMAN: In just a few minutes, the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg becomes the first woman and the first Jewish American in history to lie in state at the U.S. Capitol.

This morning, we are learning new details about the final weeks of her life.

CNN's Joan Biskupic joins us now with much more.

And, Joan, this is more on your just terrific reporting on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. And the last few week, very interesting.

JOAN BISKUPIC, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Thanks, John.

Yes, I talked to her colleagues and friends about just what those last weeks, even days were like. And I discovered that right up until the very end, she was conferring on cases. She was penning notes to friends and colleagues. And she had even thought she could officiate a wedding the day that she passed away. Only two days before her death did the man, the groom, find out that they'd have to postpone and he wasn't told why, but just that they would have to postpone.

We also found out that a week earlier, before her death, she had gone up to Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore for some treatment and had returned exactly one week before on September 11th. And the family said they did not wish to disclose details, which is understandable, about that.

But it was then, the week of September 14th when she really took a sudden turn for the worst. And, you know, John, I know it sounds strange to say an 87-year-old justice who had been battling cancer for so many years, you know, suddenly passed away, but that was the case. She was working on cases, talking to people. She was writing these notes and she -- Eric Motley (ph), who she was going to officiate over his wedding that Friday night that she died, you know, was just -- just in shock.

I also heard from a friend of hers who had a son who was a pianist who had composed a selection for her and she had written him a note. Again, you know, not too long ago that said, I'm looking forward to brighter days when the eerie time ends. She was referring to the Covid time.

So, you know, just, this is a woman who lived as if she would have more tomorrows.

Alisyn.

CAMEROTA: Joan, that's really poignant.

I mean, and I think it felt so sudden because we had been tracking any of her hospitalizations. And then she would come out. And then she would keep working.

BISKUPIC: Yes.

CAMEROTA: And so, at the very end, it di fell sudden to so many of us. But thank you for letting us know what those weeks were like leading up to her death. Great to talk to you.

BISKUPIC: Thank you.

CAMEROTA: Well, the last six months have posed tremendous challenges, but, of course, it's also been inspiring to see the different ways that people are helping others. This week CNN Heroes salute New Jersey native Greg Dailey. He had a newspaper route in his hometown for 25 years. In March, when he realized many senior citizens on his route were afraid to leave their homes because of coronavirus, he began delivering much more than the daily paper.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GREG DAILEY: I deliver to three adult communities. A lot of people in there that are compromised. So I put out a note to all 800 of my customers. If there's anything you need, you name it, I'm happy to go shop for it and deliver it to your home for free.

This said silk almond milk.

I've met just an unbelievable amount of beautiful, wonderful people. It's awesome and amazing how grateful they are.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK, thank you so much.

DAILEY: My pleasure. If you need anything else moving forward, please, give me a call, OK?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will.

DAILEY: All right. Take care of yourself. Good night.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Greg and his family making more than 1,000 shopping trips for their neighbors. For the full story on Greg Dailey's good work, go to cnnheroes.com.

BERMAN: There are beautiful people --

CAMEROTA: In New Jersey. BERMAN: Even in New Jersey.

CAMEROTA: In New Jersey. The state's filled with them.

That was beautiful.

OK, meanwhile, the late Congressman John Lewis was, of course, a hero of the civil rights movement. This morning we're getting new insight into his life and legacy in a new documentary. That's next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:48:29]

BERMAN: The CNN film "John Lewis, Good Trouble" chronicles the late icon's legacy of courage in the pursuit of change.

Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN LEWIS (D-GA), FORMER CONGRESSMAN: You know, I got -- I got arrested a few times during the '60s. Forty times. And since I've been in Congress, another five times. And I'm probably going to get arrested again for something.

But my philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, say something, do something, get in trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble. But to save our country, save our democracy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: Joining us now, director of the film "John Lewis: Good Trouble," Dawn Porter.

Dawn, it's so great to have you here.

DAWN PORTER, DIRECTOR, "JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE": Thank you so much for having me.

BERMAN: We've -- I've interviewed a lot of people, so has Alisyn too. When you interviewed John Lewis in person, meeting him in person, it felt different than anyone I have ever met in my entire life. And that's not hyperbole. And the reason was because you felt like you were face-to-face with history.

And you got to spend a year with him making this documentary. And I'm just wondering what that was like.

PORTER: You know, at first it is -- it is that because that's -- that's not an exaggeration.

[08:50:01]

You can't help but be moved by understanding the congressman's life and legacy and all that he's seen.

But over time we really got to be, you know, much more relaxed. He -- I really wanted to lean in to the personal side of the congressman, which is so -- I think in this film you'll see a side of him that you don't always see. And I think it's important to see that. As important, as critical as the congressman was to our democracy, he was also a kind, happy, optimistic person with likes and things that he loved to do and I will just really -- spending that amount of time with him really, you know, will influence me forever.

CAMEROTA: That is really lucky because, as you say, you know, we know that -- that John Lewis that we just saw there, but, you know, you got this extra window into him.

So let's just play a little bit more of your film and then we'll talk.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN LEWIS (D-GA), FORMER CONGRESSMAN: I hated the system telling people that you cannot be seated at a lunch counter, you cannot go into a restaurant simply because of the color of your skin. And I wanted to be part of an effort to help change it. And I was prepared to put my body on the line.

There was something deep down within me, moving me, that I could no longer be satisfied of going along with an evil system.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMEROTA: Gosh, that's so interesting to see him there.

And so, Dawn, was he conscious of his legacy? I mean did you ask him how he wants to be captured?

PORTER: You know, I think he couldn't help but understand how important he was, but he really just didn't dwell on that. The congressman was always looking for the next way that he could help. He would say, I'm just trying to help out.

And so he was incredibly gracious and graceful with people. So many people would approach him. We have a scene in the movie where you see people moved to tears just by being in his presence.

But the thing that I took away the most from being with him was his optimistic and his faith in America. Someone who had seen so much darkness and who had fought for so long, you know, while we were filming, he reintroduced HR-1 to reauthorize the Voting Rights Act. I mean if you can think of that, he was there in the 1960s with President Johnson, when the Voting Rights Act was signed, and then here, 2019, he had to reintroduce it in order to have that law.

So history was always with him, but he wasn't dwelling in it. He was really looking forward to the next challenge.

BERMAN: Yes, I think it was Joe Biden, I may have that wrong, who said after he passed, when you're with John Lewis you have the overwhelming sense you didn't do enough or you haven't done enough.

How do you think John Lewis thought he left things in terms of the struggle? What did he think the status was or is?

PORTER: Yes, you know, I think one of the things that definitely happened while we were filming is I would express concern about, you know, some terrible thing, kids at the border being in cages, that kind of thing, and he would always point to how much progress we had made and point to the things that we could do as citizens.

So I know it was not an accident that the last time he was photographed publicly was at the Black Lives Matter art installation in Washington, D.C. He was weaker, but he, much like Justice Ginsburg, really was thinking about progress and life activities until the very end. So I know he was enormously proud to see so many -- not just Americans, but Americans in all 50 states and around the world pour into the streets and say they were there standing up for justice. That was his message his entire life. If you see something that's not right, not fair, not just, say something, do something. And for him to see people actually doing that brought him a lot of joy.

CAMEROTA: What a beacon he was.

Dawn Porter, thank you very much for sharing this film with us and CNN films presents "John Lewis: Good Trouble" this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. only on CNN.

Thanks, Dawn, we'll be watching.

BERMAN: All right, time now for "The Good Stuff," as if John Lewis isn't enough of the "Good Stuff" himself.

A Texas father finding a creative way to connect with his son during chemotherapy treatment.

[08:55:00]

What's that way? Dancing. Because of coronavirus, Chuck Yielding (ph) can't sit with 14-year-old Aidan (ph) during treatments so every Tuesday the father busts out his best moves --

CAMEROTA: And outfits.

BERMAN: Well, let's just say he busts out his moves in front of the window.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We get out here and just try to -- try to communicate, you know, the best we can.

Just anything to bring -- bring his spirits up a little bit. Let him know that he's not alone. That we're with him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's funny to watch and watching him figure out all that he's going to do. It cheers me up sometimes. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: That's awesome. It cheers us all up. Aidan's mother, Lori (ph), works at the hospital in Ft. Worth. She says the dance routine has become a special bond between father and son. It's a great way to leave it today with a smile.

CAMEROTA: Awesome. Thank you for that note. It is a perfect way to end.

BERMAN: All right, our coverage continues, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)