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Midterm Countdown; Biden And Obama Hold Philadelphia Rally; Singer Aaron Carter Dies At 34; Martin Luther King III, Civil Rights Activist, Discusses Record Georgia Voting; Georgia Voters Sound Off Before Critical Midterm Elections; Obama & Biden Hold PA Rally Days Out From Critical Midterms. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired November 05, 2022 - 17:00   ET

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

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:00:34]

JIM ACOSTA, CNN HOST: You're live in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Jim Acosta in Atlanta in the key battleground state of Georgia. Right now we are in the final sprint before those critical midterm elections and the balance of power in Congress is on the line.

Today the biggest names in politics are out on the campaign trail. President Biden and his two predecessors are all stumping today, and they are all in Pennsylvania.

And moments from now President Biden and former President Barack Obama, there you see the live picture right there, they will take the stage in Philadelphia to rally for Democratic Senate nominee John Fetterman.

And in a couple of hours from now former President Donald Trump will be in Latrobe with Republican Senate nominee Mehmet Oz. Pennsylvania is one of those three toss-up Senate elections and it is a must-win for both parties to have control of the Senate.

CNN's Jessica Dean is in Latrobe ahead of Trump's rally. And we begin with CNN's Phil Mattingly in Philadelphia.

Phil, we have been talking to you throughout the afternoon. This is a blockbuster rally with both Biden and Obama set to take the stage at any moment. And it just goes to show you, I mean this might be it. This might be the whole ball game here when it comes to control of the Senate, right where you are right now in Philadelphia.

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, and I think that's the critical point. It is not just the state of Pennsylvania, which Democrats acknowledge is a must-win, a pickup opportunity and really the lone pickup opportunity that they're really focused on right now as they have several other incumbents in very, very tight races.

And they're sending out the big guns to Philadelphia for a very clear reason. It is not trying to get Independent voters necessarily, it is not trying to persuade Republicans to come to their side, it is to turn out their base. This is a bastion for Democratic support here in Philadelphia.

In 2020 President Biden won this city, this county, Philadelphia County by more than 60 points. This is about turnout for the Democratic base and who better to bring that turnout out than President Biden but also former President Obama.

Jim, we've been to several of president Biden's events. They're very clearly focused on issues, on bucking up certain members on specific policy issues.

This is major campaign rally. This is President Obama bringing what he has to the table. You know, Jim, very well they have different strengths, they have different styles, but their message and their goal is the same, and the effort tonight is going to be to bring that all to the same place. And more importantly than anything else, get out Democrats to vote, get out young voters in particular.

They're playing Meek Mill (ph) at this rally, which I don't think I have ever heard at a President Biden event before to some degree, a recognition that Philadelphia's important, young voters are important and they need them to come out in a big way to win the most important Senate race in just a couple of days, Jim.

ACOSTA: And there have been a few twists and turns along the way in that Senate race, it can be said.

Jessica, you are in western Pennsylvania where Trump will be later after teasing a 2024 run. I mean it just -- it kind of boggles the mind. It is hard to get your head around the prospect that here we have Donald Trump who, you know, challenged the results of the 2020 election, incited an insurrection at the capital, fielded his own -- essentially his own slate candidates in Republican contests across the country to the point where you have election denialists, people who won't commit to honoring election results, running in almost every kind of race or public office in this country.

We're really in uncharted waters. It's sort of an unprecedented time. Looking at all of this, it has never happened before in our history.

And so this is a very important event that you are covering tonight, Jessica. Give us a preview.

JESSICA DEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is an important event, and much like Phil was just saying, we see Obama and Biden in Philadelphia really trying to turn out the vote there, that's where Democrats need to run up the score if they're going to win statewide in Pennsylvania.

We're in more rural Pennsylvania and that's where Trump really over- indexed the vote, especially when he won in 2016 when he won the state of Pennsylvania. So it is no surprise that this is the location, this is the type of location that he has picked because for Oz, he really needs to run up the score in this more rural, conservative part of the state in order to then stay competitive in some of the more swing districts.

So the location makes a lot of sense in that regard. Mehmet Oz has really, after being endorsed by former President Trump, tacked to the middle in this general election. He's really selling himself in the last week. We've been to several rallies with him, but also on television, as a moderate.

[17:04:54

DEAN: He talks about wanting to get rid of extremism in Washington. That he wants everyone to come together. He has been pitching himself to conservative Democrats and Independent voters in the state.

So it is a fine line that he will be walking tonight as he appears at this rally with former President Trump, who of course, has incredible appeal to the Republican Party base and really as evidenced by the large crowd here has the ability to turn out large numbers of people.

Oz is going to need that base in his corner. He's going to need them to show up big for him on Tuesday, but he's also going to need those Independent and swing voters to also swing his way.

And that will be important as well, and to that end tomorrow, Jim, we're going to see him back in the suburbs of Philadelphia with Senator Susan Collins, a more moderate member of the Republican Senate.

So it is kind of a little bit of a balancing act that we're going to see, and it will be interesting to see what Oz says and also what the former president says.

Now, earlier today Fetterman was in Pittsburgh with former President Barack Obama and he really sharpened his attack on Oz when it comes to his relationship with Trump. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOHN FETTERMAN (D-PA), SENATE CANDIDATE: Today Dr. Oz is going to be standing with Donald Trump on the stage. And I'm going to be proud to be standing with a president that is 100 percent sedition-free.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

DEAN: Reporter: again, very sharp words there from the Democratic nominee, John Fetterman. And Jim, we will be watching tonight to see what Mehmet Oz says here and again what former President Donald Trump has to say.

ACOSTA: All right. Jessica Dean and Phil Mattingly. Thanks to both of you very much. Very important races there in Pennsylvania.

And joining me now to talk about this is former Republican Congresswoman from Virginia, Barbara Comstock and CNN political commentator and spokesperson for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign Karen Finney.

And Karen, I spent lots of time in Georgia as well. We'll talk about that. But let's start with this key race in Pennsylvania, the Senate race

between Fetterman and Oz. A recent Marist poll puts Fetterman slightly ahead of Oz, 51 percent to 45 percent, but the polls have been very close throughout all of this.

Take a look at this data from the same poll. The top issue for Pennsylvania voters is inflation. So Karen, let me start with you.

We got a better than expected jobs report yesterday, but do you think inflation has just been on the minds of voters for so long, gas prices and so on, that this is just a very steep hill to climb for Democrats?

KAREN FINNEY, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: Well, a couple of things. I think, you know, when we talk about inflation, one of the things that is on voters' minds is who's got a plan to deal with inflation? Who is going to focus on trying to lower costs, which is the argument you're going to hear President Biden make I believe later today and we've heard him make on the campaign trail. And who is going to increase costs for families? We have seen the Republican plan to raise costs around Social Security, Medicare, prescription drugs.

The other thing though that I would say, Jim, I've done a lot of work recently with black voters and women voters, reproductive freedom, issues like protecting voting rights, concerns about MAGA extremism actually come up also, not only just about as high as inflation but the level of intensity that voters feel about those issues is very much on par.

So I think voters are going to carry a number of issues and questions with them when they go to the polls, and I believe given the record turnout that we're seeing they're voting for Democrats.

ACOSTA: And Congresswoman, let me ask you about Dr. Oz. He has been trying to pitch himself as a return to moderation in the Senate, but he's going to be on stage with Donald Trump tonight. What do you make of that?

I mean we were asking Charlie Dent about this a couple of hours ago and he just thought that was the worst idea he could think of for Dr. Oz. What are your thoughts?

BARBARA COMSTOCK, FORMER REPUBLICAN CONGRESSWOMAN: Right. And I think he's going to be on stage with Doug Mastriano also. I think the best thing that Fetterman has going for him is -- Josh Shapiro also. I think Josh Shapiro has been running one of the best Democrat campaigns. He has been focusing on the crime issue, talking about getting more police on the street.

He's also been focusing -- he's actually a Democrat who's talking about tax cuts and inflation and the economy. And, you know, he has been talking about his record as an attorney general.

So he's you know, running away with the race. He's also pointing out that his opponent, you know, an election denier who was at the Capitol on January 6th, an election denier, you know, he is reminding people that he has people like Charlie Dent who is supporting him. So Charlie is exactly right. For Oz to be on the stage with Donald

Trump and the election-denying Doug Mastriano is a big mistake, whereas you're going to have Fetterman, you know, on stage with the popular Josh Shapiro, who has a bunch of Republicans supporting him.

[17:09:53]

COMSTOCK: So this is a good way for Fetterman to be, you know, spending his evening. And, you know, Dr. Oz is spending his night with people who -- certainly Mastriano who is going to lose in Pennsylvania and Donald Trump who lost Pennsylvania.

ACOSTA: Right. And Karen, speaking of Trump, apparently he is considering launching his 2024 campaign in the third week of November. You know, that could have an impact here in Georgia.

This Georgia Senate race between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock could be heading to a run-off. And could you imagine a situation where Donald Trump wants to announce that he is running for the White House again in the midst of that kind of a run-off campaign, critically important run-off campaign?

And it was Donald Trump that a lot of Republicans thought cost that Senate race the last time around.

FINNEY: Well, that's exactly right. And remember because of the more restrictive rules that the Republicans passed in Georgia, the amount of time for a run-off will be condensed, which means if in the very middle of that you have Donald Trump saying that he's going to run, let's just say I think Democrats are going to run to the polls.

And I do think it is going to mean a victory for Democrats. I also -- look, I have to tell you I think having Donald Trump even on the campaign trail, again it reminds voters about the chaos and many of these, you know, Republican candidates who are election deniers.

One of the top things they ran on was fealty to Donald Trump. And so again, if you have him inserting himself, whether it is Pennsylvania or Georgia, I think that reminds voters that they want someone who's going to looking out for them, not Donald Trump. ACOSTA: And Congresswoman, let me ask you about this Georgia race as

well. Herschel Walker is going after President Biden in his closing arguments. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HERSCHEL WALKER (R), PA SENATE CANDIDATE: For 18 years of the Republican Party, you heard him say the biggest threat to democracy is voting for the Republican. Are they serious? The biggest threat to democracy is having Joe Biden in the White House. That's the biggest threat to democracy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: What do you think about that, Congresswoman? COMSTOCK: I -- this is another one of -- you know, quality -- you

know, problems of candidate quality, Herschel Walker is Exhibit A. You know, Donald Trump has saddled the Republicans with these really problematic candidates and, you know, I do think this will go to a run-off.

You know, when you talk to Georgia Republicans on the ground, they clearly are supporting Kemp and Raffensperger. And this is the candidate that many of them just really don't want to have to support. Maybe they'll hold their nose and vote for him, maybe they'll leave it blank, but this is not the candidate they're very happy about.

ACOSTA: And Karen, let me ask you about Wisconsin because we can't ignore that race. That race is razor thin. Senator Ron Johnson is on the ropes there. He is fighting to keep his seat and is already raising questions about whether he's going to accept the election results. Let's listen to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR RON JOHNSON (R-WI): I sure hope I can, but I can't predict what the Democrats might have planned. It sure seems like there's an awful lot of -- in the past a lot of attempt on the part of Democrats to make it easier to cheat.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: Karen, you have worked in politics for such a long time. We're in a surreal place right now where you have candidates over and over again in lots of different places who aren't committing to honoring election results.

It is just -- it is surreal. It is depressing and it is surreal.

FINNEY: It is depressing and surreal. Look, I'm proud that regardless people are turning out to vote in record numbers in the midterm election. Let's give it to the voters, that's the number one thing I want to say.

Number two, and I think we're going to continue to see record turnout from today through election day.

But the other thing is, look, you know, Jim, we have heard this before. We heard this from Donald Trump. We have seen this movie before where Ron Johnson and a number of other Republicans are setting it up such that if there isn't a red wave, which I don't think there will be, where if he doesn't like the results of the election, well, then something -- you know, then he can be an election denier.

And so, you know, what I hope people will remember as we go into election day is that, you know, have confidence in the elections, get out there and vote, and then remember on election night we may not know all of the results right on election night.

It may take a day or so as we sort these things out, make sure that, you know, absentee ballots are counted and all of the tools of democracy are in place.

The other thing I would say to someone like Ron Johnson is if you don't -- if you have so little confidence in the election, why didn't you vote for those -- for the legislation that would have actually helped to reform our system and make our election system stronger? Why were you so opposed to it?

[17:14:55[

FINNEY: Is it so that you could come out and be an election denier all over again? I hope people reject that.

ACOSTA: And Congresswoman, let me have you listen to what Republican candidate for governor of Wisconsin, Tim Michels recently said. Let's listen to that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TIM MICHELS (R), WISCONSIN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Republicans will never lose another election in Wisconsin after I'm elected governor.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: You know, in that same vein, Congresswoman, you served in Virginia, northern Virginia -- Republican, got elected there. I'm sure your election went just fine when you got elected there and so on, but we are just in this -- it is a baffling -- it is hard to put it into words, how strange a time that we're in right now where you have this undercurrent, strong undercurrent of denialism, not trusting the voters, not trusting the system, running throughout our system right now.

COMSTOCK: Well, it is troubling to have people, you know, talk like that. But, listen, I do think -- I certainly do think on election night it is going to go very much in the Republicans' favor. So while I find it very troubling, I mean I signed a letter with a lot of former Republican officials saying, you know, we need to accept the election results. I happen to do think that you are going to see it break Republicans' way. But regardless of how it turns out --

ACOSTA: Congresswoman --

COMSTOCK: -- I think we need to accept the election results.

ACOSTA: Congresswoman, I got to jump in there. I'm so sorry. Thanks so much for that comment. We got it in there.

But I want to show our viewers right now. Here we are in Philadelphia, our live pictures, bringing those pictures to you now. Former President Barack Obama and President joe Biden on stage in Philadelphia to get out the vote for the Democratic candidate for the Senate, John Fetterman.

This is reminiscent, I guess, of the old days. I suppose the Democrats would say the good old days when Obama and Biden were out on the campaign trail back in 2008. You also see the Democratic candidate for governor, Shapiro, there

along with John Fetterman.

Let me go back to Phil Mattingly, our White House correspondent, senior White House correspondent who was with me just now.

Phil, I mean this just underlines, it magnifies how Democrats are trying to close this deal. They are trying to hang on to power in the United States Senate. They know what is potentially going to take place in the House if the Republicans take the House, but they want to make sure they keep that door shut to the Republicans in the Senate. And you can't underline how important it is for this race in Pennsylvania to see Obama and Biden sharing the same stage. What do you think?

MATTINGLY: Yes, the location of the biggest stars -- by far the most important. The president is speaking now. He is one of the biggest stars if not the biggest star.

ACOSTA: All right. Hang on, Phil. I have to jump in there, Phil. Let's go to President Biden there on the stage. I hate to do that to you, Phil. Let's go to the president now. We will hear from the president. Will get back to you on the other side. Sorry about that, Phil.

(LIVE EVENT)

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Good to see you all. This crowd is so loud I think they can hear us in Latrobe. They're going to hear -- they're going to hear us on Tuesday.

Folks, I'm Jill Biden's husband, a Philly girl. She's ready for game six like all of you. It is good to be home. It is good to be with family. And that includes someone we all love, Barack Obama -- a great president, historic president, and I'm proud to say a dear friend.

Well, folks, three days. Three days until one of the most important elections, one of the most important elections - one of the most important elections of our lifetime. It is going to shape, the outcome is going to shape our country for decades to come, and the power to shape that outcome is in your hands.

Two years ago, two years ago you used that power to make Donald Trump not only a former president, but you made him a defeated president. And this year you have the power to make John Fetterman your next United States senator and Josh Shapiro your next governor.

[17:19:47]

BIDEN: Look, folks, I want to be very clear and I mean this sincerely about what's on the ballot this year. Your right to choose is on the ballot. Your right to vote is on the ballot. Social Security and Medicare is on the ballot.

There's something else on the ballot -- character. Character is on the ballot. When I think of character I think of John Fetterman. You know, in its endorsement of him, the Philadelphia Enquirer said John knows what his values are. I've been saying for a long time, I'm a Pennsylvania boy, born and raised in Scranton and -- but for the longest time Delaware, like many other small places, did not have -- did not have a television station. So Philadelphia TV had to cover me the same as they covered all of Pennsylvania senators. I was known as Pennsylvania's third senator.

My point is I know Pennsylvania well, and John Fetterman is Pennsylvania. He is Pennsylvania. And Oz and Pennsylvania?

Look, I've -- I lived in Pennsylvania longer than Oz has lived in Pennsylvania and I moved away when I was 10 years old.

(END)

ACOSTA: All right. There's President Biden out on the campaign trail for Senate candidate John Fetterman, the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. He's also out there with the Democratic candidate for governor, Josh Shapiro. Barack Obama is also scheduled to take the stage.

We are going to have all of this for you on the other side of this break. Stay with us.

[17:21:40]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ACOSTA: We have breaking news from the entertainment world. Aaron Carter has died at the age of 34. The teen pop star was known for many popular songs such as "Aaron's Party" and "I Want Candy". According to a source he was found dead in his bathtub.

CNN's Chloe Melas joins me now. Chloe, this is -- very troubling news. And you knew Aaron Carter. What more do you know?

CHLOE MELAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Jim. I have interviewed Aaron Carter several times over the course of my career. And Aaron, you know, he was a lovely guy. He really cared about making music. He really loved his older brother, Nick Carter, who as you all know has been a member of The Back Street Boys.

You know, Aaron, like you said, he put out a lot of successful hits, especially in the 2000s. He went on tour with the Back Street Boys. He was on Nickelodeon.

But in recent years, he had a lot of stints in rehab. He's talked openly about his issues with drug and alcoholism and at one point he said he had suffered over 100 seizures due to his addiction to prescription medication.

But you know, during the times that I interviewed him, it was on brighter days, and I spoke to someone close to the family who confirmed that sadly, he has died at 34 years old. He was found in a bathtub in his home, unclear the circumstances around that, Jim.

Drugs, alcohol, we just don't know those details yet. And we have reached out to authorities and we don't have any more information just yet.

But, you know, people are taking to social media to mourn his loss and, you know, again he grew up going on the road with the Back Street Boys. And you know, he was the little brother that everybody loved and everybody was rooting for.

And you know, he lost custody of his child earlier this year. He was very open about going back into rehab just in this fall, that he was trying to get custody back and, you know, he's been in the headlines for a lot of negative things over the last couple of years.

But I thought that this was a time that he was really turning things around. Again, just 34 years old and incredibly sad. We still have not heard from his brother, Nick Carter, yet. And let me just point out that they lost their sister due to a drug overdose, so you can imagine that this is a really incredibly tragic second loss for the family.

ACOSTA: Yes. Just awful news. And this is going to be a shock to people who grew up watching Aaron Carter and listening to Aaron Carter.

All right. Chloe Melas, when you get more information on this, please let us know. Thank you very much for that report. The breaking news: Aaron Carter dead at the age of 34.

Coming up next, President Biden on stage in Philadelphia right now urging Democrats to get out the vote in the mid terms. Global human rights leader Martin Luther King III, excuse me, he will be joining me live right here in Atlanta on the crucial state of Georgia and the battleground races that are just hanging by a thread as voters go to the polls.

Stay with us. We will be right back.

[17:28:52]

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[17:33:21]

ACOSTA: Right now, President Biden is on stage in Philadelphia and former President Barack Obama is also there. This was just moments ago.

Take a look at this picture right here. He joined the top Democrats running in these crucial races in Pennsylvania, Senate candidate, John Fetterman, and gubernatorial candidate, Josh Shapiro.

Nationwide, more than 34.6 million ballots have already been cast in this midterm election. Just an extraordinary turnout so far. Early voting has been ahead of the 2018 pace across states where data is available.

Here in Georgia, this year's early voting has already set a record, more than 2.5 million ballots were cast before Election Day, the most of any midterm election in he state. With me is global human rights leader, Martin Luther King III.

And voting access has been an issue you have worked extensively on.

Martin, thank you for being with us. It is an honor to have you here.

Earlier today, you tweeted, and it was in response to something I had put out, you know, talking about the show today, that this is the most -- it is kinds of a cliche to say, it is the most consequential election of our lives.

But you really feel like this is the most consequential election. Tell us about that.

MARTIN LUTHER KING III, GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS LEADER: Well, no question. There are so many issues that people should be and are concerned about, whether it is economic issues, inflation. All of that is critically important.

You know, my dad used to say that there are some in our nation -- this is back in 1950, 55 years ago, maybe '56, that there are some who believe, he said, the next stage of our struggle was equality.

[17:35:59]

There are some who believe we should put democracy aside if equality has to be in the equation. That's very tragic. That means how divided we are.

Really, on the ballot, in my judgment, is the future of where this -- which way this nation goes. The Democratic Party has established certain things and certainly has to focus and address certain things.

The Republican Party has not been given the credit that kind of started some of this, whether it is a big tax decrease for people -- it really wasn't for people. It was for corporations. People got a little bit. We all need a tax reduction.

We have to figure out how to navigate through all of these supplements that help provide people a quality of life to live because of the pandemic. And this is a worldwide issue, not just a domestic issue.

ACOSTA: Yes, and here we are in Atlanta where your father helped lead the battle for voting rights in this country, civil rights in this country.

I just wonder what you think about the message that we've heard from President Biden recent days, that American democracy is on the line in this midterm election battle.

Do you think that's overstating the case? Do you think that's about right? What are your thoughts?

KING: I wish that that was not the case, but that is the case when you have so many election deniers, people not willing to say, "I will accept the results" unless I win.

That is more than going into fascism. That is beyond dangerous.

So for that reason alone, people who believe in democracy ought to say, "I must vote, I have no choice for my children and generations yet unborn."

My dad said also, a voteless people is a powerless people. And one of the most important steps that we must take is that short step to the ballot box.

That obviously is what is going to determine even a lot of these races, even what pollsters have said, who is coming out. It appears that there's a large turnout, but we don't know which way that's going to fall yet.

ACOSTA: Yes. Let me ask you about this because the current Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, who a lot of folks across the political spectrum, give credit to him for standing up to Donald Trump when Trump tried to overturn the elections in this state.

Raffensperger has said, well, look at the record-breaking early voter turnout, that is proof that the election law passed here in Georgia did not have a detrimental effect on voting in this state.

What is your response to that?

KING: I totally disagree with that. I think that, you know, the laws that were past, the draconian laws, you can't even bring people water in line, really?

A person who is suffering and struggling with something personal -- especially seniors, water, that's just one of several issues that have changed.

I think, yes, people are determined and going to do all they can. But the fact of the matter is there are still some voters who may not be able to get to polling locations because they've cut locations where you drop off and a number of things.

I just vehemently disagree with that. I applaud him for what he did as related to President Trump. But I don't agree he came out and then supported all of these laws, even though he didn't go and vote on it.

He did go and talk to his colleagues, Republicans on the House floor and Senate.

ACOSTA: I want to ask you about this key Senate race here in Georgia because it features somebody you know very well, Senator Raphael Warnock, and Herschel Walker.

You know, had is history here in Georgia. You have two black men running for this critically important Senate seat that could determine the balance of power in the Senate.

What are your thoughts in this race? And did you think it would be this close?

All of the things that have come out about Herschel Walker, and yet Republicans appear to be prepared to push all of that to the side and vote for him and he may win.

KING: I think all of that is true. But it is a sad day when we, as a society, if people chose to accept what he brings to the table. He is totally unqualified, Herschel Walker that is.

Senator Warnock has tried to work across the aisle, tried to address issues that impact everyday people, bread-and-butter issues. There are a lot of issues that still have to be addressed.

But Senator Warnock has demonstrated -- not that he is an elitist or separatist, but that he can work across the aisle. We're going to need that to rebuild whatever we build in this nation no matter what the outcome is.

We have to look at how do we bring America together, how do we get above this noise that is divisive and tearing us apart.

My dad -- again, I got to say --

ACOSTA: Please.

KING: -- used to say, "We as a society must learn nonviolence or we could face nonexistence."

We are really on the brink of that, tragically, of that possibly happening. We can and we must do better. We are a much better nation than much of the behavior we are seeing in this election cycle.

ACOSTA: Martin Luther King III, thank you very much for your time. We appreciate it. Thanks for bringing the passion.

[17:40:04]

And it is so critically important what you are talking about, that people not take for granted this thing we have in this country called the vote.

KING: Absolutely. ACOSTA: Can't take it for granted.

KING: That's right.

ACOSTA: That's why we're here today.

KING: Absolutely.

ACOSTA: Thanks to your family for doing that as well. That is why it is here for all of us.

KING: Thank you.

ACOSTA: Martin Luther King III, thank you so much for your time. We appreciate it.

Make sure to tune in to CNN for Election Day coverage right here on CNN. Our special coverage starting at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Learn what is happening in your state and around the country. That's coming up Tuesday at 4:00 Eastern here on CNN.

This is live in Philadelphia right now. You are seeing President Biden speaking on behalf of the Democratic candidates who are in those tight races in the battleground state of Pennsylvania.

Former President Barack Obama is waiting in the wings. He will be out there on stage as well.

We will bring it all to you coming up in a few minutes. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:45:00]

ACOSTA: And we are here in Georgia, a must-watch state on Election Day, thanks to high-profile races for Senate and governor.

I got a chance to talk to voters about what is important to them. And the economy and abortion were top of mind.

Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ERIKA STURGES, GEORGIA VOTER: People need help. People need to eat. People need to work. If people don't have gas in their cars they can't go to work.

I live in an area where public transportation is not regular, you know, and so when people don't have cars --

ACOSTA: That's a problem.

STURGES: -- they can't get to work. That is a huge problem.

ACOSTA: For sure.

STURGES: And for the middle class and the poor, we are the ones who stimulate the economy.

ACOSTA: Do you think people are fired up about this election?

STURGES: Heck yes, we should be.

ACOSTA: The economy is on your mind --

STURGES: Yes.

ACOSTA: -- but you are still voting on women's rights.

STURGES: Heck, yes. Number one. Yes. Roe v. Wade did not stop abortions, it made it safer.

I'm afraid that more women will die, young girls, who may be in situations that they didn't plan and their whole lives are derailed because they have to carry a baby that was not planned, or women who may have miscarriages and lose their babies. It makes no sense to me.

ACOSTA: What issues were you thinking about voting this time around?

WILL RHODES, GEORGIA VOTER: To me, of course, the major thing on the ticket is abortion, laws and stuff, how Roe v. Wade was reversed.

Totally against that. You know, I think the woman should have the right to do what she wants with her body, things of that nature. The government should not necessarily be a part of that decision. Whatever the scenario is.

ACOSTA: How did you vote?

DUNCAN TAM, GEORGIA VOTER: Republican, down ticket.

ACOSTA: Republican down ticket?

TAM: Didn't vote in the Senate race though.

ACOSTA: Didn't vote in the Senate race?

TAM: No.

ACOSTA: Because of Herschel Walker or --

TAM: Yes, because of Herschel Walker.

ACOSTA: -- you didn't like him?

TAM: In the run-off, if the Senate is in the balance, I might be willing to, but I will wait until other races, in like Pennsylvania and things like that are, to decide whether or not I want to sort of hold my nose and vote for Herschel Walker.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: That's some of what is on the minds of voters, both Democrat and Republican, here in the battleground state of Georgia.

I want to go back out to senior White House correspondent, Phil Mattingly, who is on the road in Philadelphia there where President Obama and President Biden are among the big heavyweights there for the Democratic ticket in Pennsylvania.

Phil, I know Josh Shapiro is on stage right now, running for governor, but President Biden was just on the stage a few moments ago.

I know, you know, you cover the White House so well. A few days ago, President Biden was talking about democracy and how American democracy is on the line in this upcoming election. I'm just curious, did the president talk about that during these

latest remarks there in Pennsylvania or did he focus on more bread- and-butter issues, economy, that sort of thing?

What did you pick up on?

PHIL MATTINGLY, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: You know, Jim, I think this speech was a really good window into the fact that the president's advisers think he can do both to some degree.

There was an element of his democracy speech. He pointed to the fact he gave that speech on Monday night, but it was not the central focus of the entire scale of the remarks.

It was ticking through list of accomplishments that his administration has been able to deliver.

Accomplishments that he said if John Fetterman was in the Senate, that it was a pick-up seat for them, that he would be able to vote to help protect to some degree, particularly if the Republicans flip the House, but also expand on as well.

But I think what this was, if you listen to the president and what he was going for here, it was to kind of give the full view going into these final days of what his administration has done, what he thinks they can do and why he thinks both Josh Shapiro and John Fetterman are a necessity moving forward.

In Shapiro's case, in particular, the issues of democracy that the president was laying out on Monday are extremely important, particularly given who he is running against. The Democrats feel very good about that race right now, Jim.

But when it comes to Fetterman, echoing John Fetterman himself, saying he is strong and gets back up again, trying to underscore the point he needs John Fetterman.

And John Fetterman is who voters need to come out and vote for in a couple of days -- Jim?

ACOSTA: All right, Phil Mattingly, thank you very much.

Josh Shapiro, who is running for governor at a Democrat in Pennsylvania, is on stage right now. We expect John Fetterman to be up next and then former President Barack Obama.

Just a programming note to our viewers. Stay tuned. We will have all of that coming up in a few minutes.

[17:49:18]

We'll take a quick break and we'll be right back.

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ACOSTA: In Kenya, hundreds of elephants, wildebeests and zebras are dead. And experts blame the nation's longest drought in decades. In the past nine months, more than 1,200 animals have died, including more than 500 wildebeests and 200 elephants.

A Kenyan official said climate change now kills 20 times as many elephants as poaching.

The drought has also impacted the food supply across the Horn of Africa. The World Food Program reports more than 18 million people are experiencing food shortages in Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya due to the drought.

Climate change is a big issue that we focus on in this program. That is a huge part of it as well.

Back here in the U.S., at least 38 people have been hurt in a Manhattan apartment fire. Officials say two of those are critically injured. This woman seen in this shocking rescue video did thankfully survive.

Firefighters believe the blaze started in the 30-story building by lithium-ion batteries connected to a bike or a scooter.

New York's chief fire marshal said this is close to the 200th fire caused by lithium-ion batteries this year alone. So, please, be careful with those kinds of batteries if you have them at home.

[17:55:00]

If you're headed out to the polls to vote, you probably got one of these "I voted" stickers decorated with the American flag, or the patriotic colors of red, white and blue.

But in Ulster County, New York, this is the sticker voters are taking home -- take a look at this -- after casting their ballot. This is incredible stuff.

The unique and colorful spider design won a contest in the county to design their "I voted" sticker. It was created by 14-year-old Hudson Rowan and went viral over the summer.

The county's election official told CNN that some people have cast their ballot early because they wanted to get the sticker -- that sticker right there -- before the county runs out of them.

Whatever it takes to get people to the polls, stickers, we'll take whatever we can get.

That's the news. Reporting from Atlanta, I'm Jim Acosta.

Make sure you vote. If you haven't already, make sure you vote this coming Tuesday. It is critically important for the future of this country.

I'll see you back here to talk more about this tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. Eastern.

Alex Marquardt takes over the CNN NEWSROOM live after a quick break.

Have a good night, everyone.

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