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New York City Set To Open Migrant Humanitarian Center On Randall's Island; Democrats Won't Get As Much Obama As They Want In Midterms; GOP Doubles Down On Support For Herschel Walker Amid Scandal; NTSB Recommending System To Curb Speeding In New Vehicles. Aired 3:30-4p ET

Aired October 10, 2022 - 15:30   ET

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

[15:30:00]

ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: But as I mentioned, a record number of migrants has also led to a record number of people staying in this city's shelter system -- 61,000 people, that's move than ever.

Of course, not all of them are migrants, some are the unhoused that New York was already struggling to deal with. We know they're using 42 hotels to temporarily house migrants as emergency shelters. More than 5,000 migrant children have been enrolled in schools.

One thing about Randall's Island is that there is access to it by public transportation, so you can take a bus here. People who are here will not be cut off in any way from the rest of the city and from opportunities there.

But the bottom line here is, that the mayor called a state of energy, because New York is just reaching its capacity. He says they're going to spend at least a billion by the end of this fiscal year for an emergency they didn't foresee. And there's been a lot of lack of coordination when it comes to the buses being sent to folks like Governor Greg Abbott of Texas.

The mayor wants aid from the state, aid from the federal government, so he wants the Congress to pass money to help these cities dealing with these migrant crisis. They also want to see a resettlement strategy so that migrants are spread around a bit so more cities can bear the burden.

Bottom line that New York needs, needs a lot more help and it's kind of reaching the limits of its budget when it comes to all of this money being spent to help migrants on an emergency basis -- Victor.

VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: Athena Jones for us there on Randall island. Thank you both Athena Jones and Steve Contorno

Razor thin midterm margins. Former President Obama's political weight and popularity in the Democratic Party could be what some Democrats need, but then also could galvanize Republicans. We'll discuss that, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BLACKWELL: With less than one month before the midterm elections, requests are filing up for former President Obama to come out and stomp for some candidates in key races. But sources close to the former president tell CNN that he is not likely to hit the campaign trail as much as many in his party would like. CNN Isaac Dovere has more for us. So, what is the former president's strategy here?

EDWARD-ISAAC DOVERE, CNN SENIOR REPORTER: Well, look, what we're expecting to see here will be a targeted burst of campaigning, limited to a number of state where is the president -- where President Obama can come in and make the argument for Democrats together for races for governor, senator, all the way down to state legislators, secretary of state.

Because the way that he's going to make the case for Democrats is that they are essential to preserving American democracy. That's how he's going to do the basis of his argument here.

But there's a feeling that from the president himself on down, among his advisers, that he can come in and light up supporters, but can also light up the opposition. And so, they're trying to make sure that they think very carefully about where and how to deploy him.

BLACKWELL: Isaac Dovere, thank you.

DOVERE: Thank you.

BLACKWELL: Georgia Senate hopeful Herschel Walker continues to face scrutiny for allegations that he paid for a woman's abortion and encouraged her to get another one later -- years later. A Republican who supports a full ban on abortions with no exceptions has denied the allegations.

Joining us now, CNN political commentator and Republican strategist Alice Stewart, CNN political commentator and political anchor at Spectrum News, Errol Lewis. Good to have you both. Errol let me start with you because we know that Tom Cotton and Rick Scott, they're going to be stumping for him, doubling down. This is just about math now. If they want the Senate, they can't walk away from him.

ERROL LEWIS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, that's right. And I think you properly identified the principle at work here, which has everything to do with abortion, has everything to do with power. Getting it, holding it, keeping it, expanding it. That's all it was about. And in some ways, that's all it was ever about.

So, we don't need to be distracted by any of the words that come out of the mouths of these Republican leaders about how attached they are to an anti-abortion position. It's really about getting the power, and that's the only thing left in the campaign of Herschel Walker that's worth salvaging at this point.

I mean, there's no -- there are no other policies. He hasn't been part of the debate. We know he's going to lose whatever debate he takes part in. There's no consistency. There's no public record. There's nothing there. There's just a vote that they're trying to salvage by any means necessary.

BLACKWELL: Alice, what do you think about what we just heard?

ALICE STEWART, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It's true, this is all about making sure the Republicans can do everything they can to gain control of the Senate. And what we're going to hear from Senators Scott and Cotton tomorrow is the fact that we need to get Georgians out to support Herschel Walker and his policies because they look at Raphael Warnock as a very liberal vote and a rubber stamp for Biden's policies, which they say are not working for the people of Georgia.

And we're seeing more Republicans will be coming into the state of Georgia throughout the week and leading up to the debate on Friday to support Herschel Walker.

And again, this is about making sure that we gain back this seat, and they're going to put the focus not on Herschel's past but on what Herschel promises to do for the future of Georgia, which is working on fighting against rising inflation, crime, certainly on education, and pursuing the American dream.

He wants to put policies in place that help the people of Georgia and they view the policies that Raphael Warnock has been supporting as not beneficial for people in Georgia.

[15:40:00]

And that's the main focus, and they're looking at this from a political lens and not the personal lens.

BLACKWELL: Alice, I appreciate you just saying it, that this is just about just winning the seat, and not looking at his past. But a man with no political experience, what else do you have, if not his past?

STEWART: Well, you look at what he is vowing to do for the American people and the people of the state of Georgia. And he's put out a plan with how he wants to address the economy. How he wants to look at improving law enforcement, our national security and our military and helping Americans to improve education and participant parental involvement in education.

Those are the policies that the people I speak with in Georgia, my home state, my family and friends there. They're looking at those policies that he promises to implement if elected to the U.S. Senate.

LEWIS: But let's be clear. He doesn't understand and can't articulate a single one of the policies you just described. What he's promising to do is simply follow instructions and do as he's told. Which might mean something I guess strictly through the lens of party politics. But we shouldn't pretend this is a guy brimming with policy ideas that he's carefully waited his whole life to suddenly now start implementing at the national level for which he's utterly unqualified.

BLACKWELL: Look, I want to play here to that point, Errol, what we heard from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich about Herschel Walker's potential value to the party and value in the Senate. Let's play it. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NEWT GINGRICH (R) FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER: I think he's a remarkable person. I think he's the most important senate candidate in the country because he will do more to change the Senate, just by the sheer presence, by his confidence, by his deep commitment to Christ, by the degree to which he has -- you know, he's been through a long, tough period. He had a lot of concussions coming out of football. He suffered PTSD.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: He just needs to be there, right. That's what he's saying. And I don't understand, Errol, he's had a lot of concussions. Is he trying to say that, well, we shouldn't expect him to make sensible arguments.

LEWIS: Yes, you can't lower the bar any further than that. Look, it's a faith-based argument and a faith-based candidacy. They're saying, look, trust the guy, you know, he loves Jesus, he's taken a lot of shots to the head, so don't expect too much from him. But we think he can do pretty much as he's told. I mean that's -- it's not a very compelling argument, but it is one according to the poles that seems to be resonating with people.

STEWART: And I do think it's important to note that, look, Herschel Walker is a flawed candidate, but Republicans don't corner the market on flawed candidates. We see them across the aisle. And what we're going to see more from the Walker campaign and from Republicans this week is putting a spotlight on Raphael Warnock's past.

And there were allegations about spousal abuse and a failure to pay child support. They're going to put out an ad later this week that highlights that. So, the tables will be turned somewhat on Raphael Warnock, not just on his policies but on his personal past, as well.

BLACKWELL: Let me look at Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville and what he said at this rally in Nevada. This was over the weekend. Let's play it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TOMMY TUBERVILLE (R-AL): They want crime because they want to take over what you got, they want to control what you have. They want reparations because they think that people that do the crime are owed that. Bull shit. They are not owed that!

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLACKWELL: Black people are criminals, and white Nevadans, Democrats want to take what you have to give to these black criminals. That's what the Democratic Party wants to do. Am I hearing that wrong -- Alice?

STEWART: Nope, that's what he said, Victor. And look, that is -- there's no explanation for that. There's no condoning that. That should not have been said. Look, and he's making the argument about rising crime in this country, the facts speak for themselves. Crime is on the rise in cities across the country. We're seeing that voters as they are polled, as the issues important to them, crime is right up there with the economy, inflation, immigration, and crime.

So, it would be much better if people out there on the stump would focus on the facts instead of embellishing rhetoric that ignites the base, because it really distracts from the real issue, which is we have a serious crime problem in this country and we need leaders like many Republicans leaders that have policies and plans to address the rising crime.

BLACKWELL: What is it that McCarthy says over in the House, Errol, rules for thee but not for me. Where are the Republicans who condemn, at least elected Republicans, condemn what we heard from Tuberville?

LEWIS: Yes, you know, Victor, that's the most disappointing part of all of this. What America just saw was a shot of pure Alabama politics. This reminds me of what I watched growing up when I first started taking an interest in following politics. You had people like Strom Thurmond and, you know, Jesse Helms and all the way back to George Wallace, that, you know, angry racists at the podium shouting obscenities. That's what it was.

[15:45:00]

That's somewhat segregationist politics was for decades in this country. And you know normally, you don't take it outside of Alabama. But in this case, he went to Nevada and gave a pure dose of it to America and told a bunch of working class people, Democrats and black people, black criminals are trying to take what you have. I mean, it has been a stain on American politics for such a long time.

And the big disappointment is that you can't find Republican in leadership anywhere to step forward and say that's not what we stand for. And then of course, you know, they'll be some postmortem after the election where they sort of wonder, gee, how can we can never attract any black votes? You have open your mouth and say that this kind of poison has no place in American politics. Let's relegate it to the past.

Errol, let me finish with you and the former President Obama, his approach to the midterm. Sources say will be limited and careful. Any of the Democrats who are trying to keep a little distance from President Biden, do you think that there's anybody, any of those Democrats who want Obama instead? Or does he present the same challenge for them?

LEWIS: It's a little bit -- it's tricky. It's tricky on both counts. I mean, you know, the former president has been out of office now for six years. There are a lot of young voters you might want to appeal to who don't know who Obama was.

They don't feel the same excitement that a lot of young voters did back in 2008. So, he's of limited usefulness when it comes to that. He probably should have hit the road earlier and tried to stir up his old base and maybe run some voter registration drives.

But right now, make no mistake about it, Joe Biden is the leader of the party. He's the one who's going to make the endorsement. And if there's any daylight between him and Obama, if they differ on a candidate, for example, it would just lead to a lot of confusion. So, I think that's why Obama is kind of laying in the background there.

BLACKWELL: Do you think, Alice, that Obama on the road helps Republicans?

STEWART: They've clearly have done the calculation, and poll tested this strategy. And they're with the understanding that it would ignite the GOP base more so than really galvanize Democratic voters. And that's a calculation that they have made.

I do understand that he is very helpful and can be very influential with regard to personal fundraising emails and solicitations to Democratic voters on a more private level. But you know, as far as him hitting the road, they see this as not something that's beneficial to Democrats right now.

BLACKWELL: Alice Stewart, Errol Lewis, thank you.

STEWART: Thanks, Victor.

BLACKWELL: In an attempt to cut down on deaths behind the wheel, New York is testing out speed limiter technology. It won't let you go beyond the speed limit. Is this a good idea or is it just overreach?

[15:50:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLACKWELL: Fatal vehicle crashes are rising at an alarming rate in the U.S. The federal safety officials estimate that close to 43,000 people were killed in car accidents in 2021. Now that's a 16-year high. Speeding is often to blame, like this crash last week in Florida.

Three teenagers were killed in a vehicle that hit 123 miles per hour. Well, now there's a push for cars like this one. It has new technology that will not allow the driver to accelerate above the speed limit. And an influential top safety board is recommending it for all new vehicles. CNN's Pete Muntean got a ride in one.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PETE MUNTEAN, TRANSPORTATION CORRESPONDENT: Here we go.

MUNTEAN (voice over): In this electric car, a lead foot could only get you so far. It's equipped with intelligent speed assistance. That means the car knows the speed limit here is 20 miles per hour and it won't let you go above it.

MEERA JOSHI, DEPUTY MAYOR FOR OPERATIONS, NEW YORK CITY: I can't do anything. So, I'm pressing the pedal but you see actually the number is going down. MUNTEAN (voice over): Driving me is New York City Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi. The city is the first in the U.S. to try speed limiter technology in 50 of its fleet vehicles.

JOSHI: We need to be at forefront. There is no reason today with so much technology and so much awareness that anybody should die at the hands of an automobile.

MUNTEAN (voice over): Federal data shows more than 20,000 deaths on our roads in the first half of this year. It is one reason why in its latest safety recommendation the National Transportation Safety Board is calling on the federal government to start incentivizing carmakers to put speed limiter systems in new cars.

JENNIFER HOMENDY, NTSB CHAIR: We have to remember these aren't just numbers. These are people who have lost their lives.

MUNTEAN (voice over): New York's speed limiter program works through something called telematics. Stored data on local speed limits is cross-referenced with the car's GPS position. Software in New York's cars gives the driver an alarm or simply just cuts off the accelerator when you reach the speed limit.

JOSHI: It is called a dead pedal.

MUNTEAN: This system does have an override. If you press this button, you can accelerate beyond the speed limit for 15 seconds in case you need to merge or speed up to meet the flow of traffic.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If somebody is in the fast lane driving too slow, then to me that cause more accidents than driving faster.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It feels kind of intrusive and invasive.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think from a regulatory standpoint, I think it might be overstepping some bounds.

KARL BRAUER, EXECUTIVE ANALYST, ISEECARS.COM: I think the average consumer is going to see this as an overreach by the government.

MUNTEAN (voice over): History expert Karl Brauer says it will be up to carmakers to accelerate safety without putting the brakes on sales.

BRAUER: I think a move like this is certainly a sign of the future. It is a preview of coming attractions and probably an unavoidable one.

MUNTEAN (voice over): A change can't come soon enough for Juan Pulido.

KJUAN PULIDO, FAMILY DIED IN CAR ACCIDENT: I'm really hopeful they take it serious and actually do make the changes.

[15:55:00]

MUNTEAN (voice over): His wife and kids were killed by an oncoming speeding drunk driver, a crash that served as inspiration for the NTSB calling for speed limiter systems. PULIDO: It's going to save lives. It's going to prevent more accidents from happening and less families having to go through what I'm going through.

MUNTEAN: Clearly a lot of opinions about this, and a lot of action would need to be taken before you start seeing this more widespread. New York City wants federal money to expand its trial program, and the NTSB wants federal help to make this a requirement in new cars. Remember, just a recommendation right now from the National Transportation Safety Board. There is a requirement going into place in Europe. It begins next summer, July 2023 -- Victor.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLACKWELL: Pete Muntean for us. Thank you, Pete.

And "THE LEAD with Jake Tapper" starts after a quick break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)