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Wolf
Signs Biden Could Enter Race Ahead of Tuesday Democratic Debate; Sanders Prepares for Debate with Clinton, Other Democrats; Hillary Clinton Meets with Black Lives Matter Representatives; Recruits Join Taliban to Make a Living. Aired 1:30-2p ET
Aired October 09, 2015 - 13:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[13:30:00] DONNA BRAZILE, CNN COMMENTATOR: Well, first of all, they know each other, and they are not clashing over the penalties or clashing over what I call the crazy issues that we have heard on the Republican side. What they are going to be clashing over is how to best address some of the major issues in the country, income inequality, and how do we preserve our environment and create the jobs, so we won't have a clash of personalities that we have on the Republican stage, but rather enlightened and informed debate and the future of the country.
ALEX CASTELLANOS, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: And you remember the Mercury space program, the capsules where the astronauts went up for the ride, but they didn't have a lot the do? They were passengers? That is where the Democrats are. This is Elizabeth Warren's debate, and it is about income inequality. And the candidates all agree on that. So who is the best pilot? And in this race, Hillary's challenge is to say, I can get that job done, and we all agree, but I have the experience, and I have been part of the establishment, and I can get that job done better than anyone else.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: But I bet you and I suspect that you will agree, and while Bernie Sanders is cautious in going after Hillary Clinton, and he is going to the explain why she was wrong in supporting the war in Iraq, and he did not. Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee and Martin O'Malley are going to try to hammer as hard as they can.
BRAZILE: They are going to be looking to Anderson Cooper saying, go to me, me, me. Come to me, me. Look --
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: And it is going to go to that. It's five people on the stage and all of them will have an opportunity, and three of them have said that they strongly disagree with Hillary Clinton --
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: -- and she is going to be pummeled by the candidates.
BRAZILE: You know, I am not her spokesperson and I have given her some dollars and I like all of them, I've given them a couple of dollars, not as much as Alex has given to the Republican candidates. But let me tell you this, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Marin O'Malley, Jim Webb, Lincoln Chaffee, these are adults, and when we have an adult conversation, and we don't have a children's table. So whatever conversation, whether it is income inequality which is not a left issue, but it is a right-left, because it is a right-wrong issue, we're going to have --
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: And it makes you want to take money from one set of people and hand it to another.
BLITZER: No. Alex --
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: It is a wealth issue.
BRAZILE: But economics, it is a policy that has failed this country --
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: You and I agree on that.
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: Trying to get the money to trickle down from Washington where Democrats have taken all the money, and try to get it to trickle down to working American people --
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: -- it does not work. You're right about that.
BRAZILE: I hate to go back to the past, because I don't believe in yesterday all of the time, but the Democrats gave Republicans a balanced budget with a huge surplus, and they spent the money down, and we can have all of the old debates. But the Democrats can address the future. Wolf, we will address ISIS and the challenge in Syria, and some of the big issues in the country, and so we are going to have two hours to interrupt the Republican clown show, and bring some leaders.
BLITZER: All right, we'll see what happens Tuesday night.
BRAZILE: That is what it is going to happen on Tuesday.
BLITZER: All right, guys. Thanks very, very much. I think it is going to be a lively discussion --
BRAZILE: Oh, yes.
BLITZER: -- as we all of us anticipate.
Four days to go before the first Democratic presidential debate. You will see it only on CNN. Meanwhile, Bernie Sanders' supporter will join us to talk about strategy after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:3742:] BLITZER: Democratic presidential candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders, is clearly gaining steam and closing the fund-raising gap with Hillary Clinton and even beating her in some of the early polls. So how is he preparing going into Tuesday's CNN Democratic presidential debate? This is the first time that he is going to go face to face with Hillary Clinton and, according to Sanders, he is not going negative. He says it is just not his style.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I), VERMONT & DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You are looking at a candidate who has run in many, many elections, and I have never run a negative political ad, and I won't. And you are looking at a candidate who does not go about attacking people personally. I don't do that. But what I think that democracy is about, and what I think that the debates are about is, in fact, the differentiating the differences of opinions that we have.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: All right. Joining us now is Ben Cohen, a Bernie Sander's supporter, and also the co-founder of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream in Vermont, the home state of Senator Sanders.
And all right, Ben, thanks for joining us.
Why should Democrats support Senator Sanders and not Hillary Clinton?
BEN COHEN, CO-FOUNDER, BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM: Well, I think that what Bernie is talking about is what the American people care most about. It is very clear that the American electorate is tired of politicians as usual, tired of politicians as usual, politics as usual. Bernie is authentic as they come. And through the 35 years of Bernie's career, he is consistent and plain talking, and he does not talk political speak. He is passionate, and he is speaking from his heart. You won't see him flip-flopping on any of the issues.
BLITZER: He has been a politician though for 35 years, right?
COHEN: He's been a politician here for 35 years. I mean, he is not a politician in the normal sense of the word. He is an advocate for political and economic justice, and fairness and quality, and he uses the political system to fight for that.
[13:40:04] BLITZER: And Hillary does not?
COHEN: Well, you have to say that the Hillary Clinton is typical politician, and politics adds usual. If people are lacking for the systemic change and for the political revolution that is need, you have to vote for Bernie. If you want to fiddle around the edges or incremental change, any of the candidates will do. BLITZER: And the argument made for him, and against him, even though
he is doing well in the polls, and getting huge crowds when he goes to speak in Iowa and New Hampshire and other places as well, but the argument is that the American people are never going to elect for president of the United States, a self-declared Socialist, and to that the argument, what is your response?
COHEN: Well, it is interesting. I'm obviously a capitalist. And the things that Bernie advocates are the things they believe in. I mean, I don't understand why he calls himself a Socialist, but the things that he is advocating for are what the mainstream of America wants. We are talking about college education, regardless of your ability to pay for it. Talking about raising the minimum wage to $15, and every American worker deserves guaranteed sick leave. It is amazing in the country that a worker, hourly worker, if they are sick, they have to choose between support their family or taking care of themselves.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: And so, Ben, if Vice President Joe Biden enters the race, who does he take away from, Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders?
COHEN: I think from Hillary Clinton.
BLITZER: And you welcome him joining the race?
COHEN: Yes. Joe's a good guy. I have run into him several times. In terms of the only systemic change that is need, Bernie Sanders is the only guy able to do it, who is not beholden to the Wall Street and the other corporate interests. He is the only guy running a people- powered campaign. He has refused a PAC. I mean, I have had -- I have had friends of mine who want to the hold a big dollar fund-raiser for Bernie, and he won't do it.
BLITZER: Ben Cohen, thank you for joining us. And the Senator is lucky to have you as a supporter. And I know that you have been friends up there in Vermont for many years. Thanks very much for joining us.
COHEN: Good talking to you.
BLITZER: Ahead, Hillary Clinton tried to shore up support Hispanic voters and she's reaching out to black activist groups as well. We'll talk with a Clinton campaign supporter, Congressman Xavier Becerra, to talk about the efforts under way. Much more right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:47:44] BLITZER: Hillary Clinton met with representatives of the Black Lives Matter movement and other activists, and we have a video of her leaving the meeting. And aides described it as important and part of an ongoing conversation. She is trying to shore up the African-American and Latino voters.
And Congressman Xavier Becerra, of California, is a Clinton supporter.
Congressman, thanks very much for joining us.
Let's talk about what is going on. She has had tough encounters with the Black Lives Matter spokesmen, shall we say, and how would you describe her relationship with that movement?
REP. XAVIER BECERRA, (D), CALIFORNIA: At the end of the day, you will find within the African-American and Latino community, she will have strong support and overwhelming support as she becomes the next president of the United States. She has the experience and the record to verify that she is doing to do what most Americans want us to do including those of color.
BLITZER: Also at a congressional national caucus last night, she was heckled by a protester who said that Clinton, on various issues, was wrong on the various sensitive subjects, including incarcerations, prisons involving Hispanics, and listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HILARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF SATE: Tonight, I am introducing somebody who is just like that --
(SHOUTING)
CLINTON: -- a wonderful man that I have had the privilege of knowing, Chef Jose Andres.
(APPLAUSE)
(SHOUTING)
CLINTON: I have known Jose --
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And she was obviously introducing Chef Andres, but at the same time, this heckler or protester kept shouting out. You were there and how did it go?
BECERRA: I was a table away from him, and the operative word in what you said, Wolf, is a protester, and one. This is a hall of several thousand people, and most of them cheering for Secretary Clinton and one protester. The great thing about the country, the free speech is allowed around the country, and while I disagree with what the young man was saying, he had a right to say it, and he was asked to leave in a peaceful way. It was a great show to see so many people talk and the issues so important, and great to have Secretary Clinton with us, and hitting the right chords when it came to what Latinos were hoping to see.
[13:50:08] BLITZER: You just heard a Bernie Sanders supporter say that if Vice President Biden jumps into the race he'll take more votes away from Hillary Clinton than Senator Sanders. How do you deal with the vice president if he announces he is in the contest?
BECERRA: The vice president is one of the best we've got out there, and he deserves to make a decision, and whatever he decides I think a lot of folks feel like he has earned to do whatever he wishes to do. But I decided to support Hillary Clinton because I believe she is going to be the best person in America to be our next president, and I fully believe that she will become the next president, regardless of who her competition is. I think she'll go at it. She is not someone who backs down from any kind of fight. I think she's proven that over the years. She always comes out on top. She is as tested as you get. I find there is no one who is better tested whether in foreign hot spots or here in tough races at home. She'll come out on top. I'm going to do everything I can. In fact, next week, I'll be in New Hampshire trying to make sure that we pull out as many people to be there for Secretary Clinton, not just early, but often.
BLITZER: Why is she increasingly distancing herself from President Obama on several sensitive issues?
BECERRA: I wouldn't classify it as distancing herself, Wolf. I think she is telling you who she would be as president, which is what everyone expects, right? We want to know who you will be he when you become the next president of the United States. Tell us where you stand, whether it's on trade, whether it's on war, whether it's on education or health care. Tell us where you are, not where you were when you were working for someone who is very important, not where you were when you were in the White House as first lady. Tell us where you would be as president. And I believe Hillary Clinton is doing a marvelous job of telling America, this is who I am and this is where I'll be.
BLITZER: Xavier Beccera is a Hillary Clinton supporter. As I said to Ben Cohen, a Bernie Sanders supporter, Hillary Clinton is lucky to have you on her team.
Thanks very much for joining us.
BECERRA: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Only four days away from the first Democratic presidential debate Tuesday night. You'll have a chance to see all the Democratic candidates debate the issues. CNN, Facebook. The Democratic presidential debate only here on CNN.
We'll take a quick break and be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:56:35] BLITZER: A disturbing milestone for an American journalist detained in Iran. Today marks the 445th day in prison for Jason Rezaian. That's longer than the diplomats and other U.S. citizens taken hostage in Tehran back in 1970. Rezaian was put on trial for espionage and his trial ended in August. No verdict has been delivered. Three other Americans are detained or missing in Iran, Saeed Abadini, and American Christian pastor who was born in Iran. He's been detained since 2012. Amir Hekmati, a former U.S. Marine, detained since 2011 on charges of spying for the U.S. And Robert Levinson, a former FBI agent and contractor for the CIA, reported missing after visiting Iran after a visit in March, 2010. The Taliban's recent success in Kunduz is evidence that the group is
regaining strength in Afghanistan. Their numbers are growing but not for the reasons you would think.
Here is CNN International diplomatic editor, Nic Robertson.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR (voice-over): The man with the army jacket and gun is a Taliban fighter. He's recruiting the other two to join.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I told them to come join as they can make enough money to live with.
ROBERTSON: In this video shot by a free-lance cameraman the would- about recruits are easy prey.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Today in Afghanistan, finding a job is not an easy thing. I want to join them so I can have an income and make a living.
ROBERTSON: Easy prey, and an easy pitch for the fighter. Seven months ago, he, too, was jobless. He won't say how much he earns, but it's more than an Afghan soldier.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I used to work for a foreign company. But after the contract was finished, I lost my job. After several months of being jobless, I had to join the Taliban.
ROBERTSON (on camera): Over the past few years Afghanistan's economy has been grinding into the dust. The lubrication of foreign contract dollars is drying up as the international community heads for the exit. Corruption has been sopping up what little spare there was. Unemployment has been rocketing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I am educated. I have my school and university degrees with me. But after a lot of struggles, I could not find a job so I had to come to the Taliban.
ROBERTSON (voice-over): He shows us his diplomas. He never thought he would see this day. Doesn't even like the Taliban.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): I don't have anything to do with their viewpoints. My reason to join them is my economical problems and unemployment.
(GUNFIRE)
ROBERTSON: The Taliban's recent success in Kunduz is also something of a pull.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): It's very much possible that the Taliban may get stronger and capture more places. If a situation continued like this, they may get to the capital. UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Looking at the current
situation in Afghanistan, to me it looks like the Taliban will take control of it in the near future.
(GUNFIRE)
ROBERTSON: But they're not all in. They say they'll jump ship the moment the government offers them something better.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): If the government tries to create job opportunities for educated youths like me, I'll work with the government and continue my normal life.
ROBERTSON: So, as important as the battle of Kunduz undoubtedly is, the war won't be won on bullets alone. The economy is the new front line.
Nic Robertson, CNN, Kabul, Afghanistan.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BLITZER: That's it for me. Thanks for watching.
The news continues next on CNN.
