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Hala Gorani Tonight
Pittsburgh Begins Bearing Victims of Synagogue Massacre; Trump and First Lady Head to Pittsburgh; World Wildlife Fund Warns This is The Last Generation to Save Nature; Whitey Bulger, Famed Gangster Found Dead in Prison; Anti-Semitism On Rise Across U.S. Aired 1-2p ET
Aired October 30, 2018 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[13:00:00] HALA GORANI, CNN HOST: Hello, everyone. Live from CNN London, I'm Hala Gorani. Tonight the U.S. President heads to Pennsylvania to pay
his respects after the deadly synagogue shooting. But not everyone wants him there. We will have live coverage. Also, one week from the midterm
elections we speak to a Democratic candidate trying to flip a congressional seat in a red state.
Also, ahead, the World Wildlife Fund's dire warning as animal populations plummet 60 percent in 40 years, it says. Is this really our last chance to
save nature?
Grief, shock, and dismay all rolled into one. That is how the rabbi of the synagogue attacked in Pittsburgh describes the feelings of his congregation
today as they begin burying victims of the worst massacre of Jews ever on American soil as they mourn, the nation is mourning with them. Outrage
that 11 innocent people were killed for their religious beliefs alone, by a gunman who spewed anti-Semitic hate and lies.
Here's a live look of what's going on outside of the Tree of Life synagogue. You can still see many television journalists and crews
assembled to cover the funerals as they begin today. They will be continuing over the next several days. And of course, the U.S. President
is heading to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in about an hour and a half.
Based on his latest interviews and tweets, he is not too focused on this massacre because Mr. President Trump has been busy fanning fears about the
migrant caravan still weeks away from reaching the United States even though we know that lies about the caravan motivated the alleged Pittsburgh
shooter. Now the President says he is sending thousands of active duty troops to guard the southern border depicting asylum seekers as invaders
and as a dangerous threat.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: When you look at that thousands of people, somebody said you know, and that one they billed it
down. I am pretty good at estimating how many people. When you look at thousands and thousands of people, on the bridge and when you looked at
that bridge loaded up with people, that's called an invasion of our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: If this weren't enough to keep immigration in the headlines, Mr. Trump is also pledging a dramatic step to deny citizenship to babies born
to unauthorized immigrants in the United States. There is one big problem, though, the U.S. Constitution -- this is the 14th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution specifically grants that citizenship birth right and it has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This isn't something technically that
the President could do with a stroke of a pen. Is this all a diversion tactic ahead of the midterms, a way for Mr. Trump to avoid addressing tough
issues like the hate that fueled the Pittsburgh shooter or the conspiracy theories that are out there?
Let's bring in CNN political analyst Josh Rogen and CNN political reporter Rebecca Berg. Josh let me start with you as we continue to keep our eye on
what's going on in Pittsburgh. The President is going to be visiting Pittsburgh. Not everyone wants him there as we said. For instance, the
mayor says they want to focus more on the victims. What is the President hoping to achieve here?
JOSH ROGEN, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: The president is simply seeking to blunt criticism that he hasn't responded to the two crises that happened
last week, the mailing of pipe bombs to journalists and Democratic leaders and this massacre of Jews in Pittsburgh with the proper amount of decorum
and respect and calls for unity etc.
All throughout the week at his campaign rallies, the president has continued to attack the media and continued to ramp up the rhetoric instead
of doing what many of these leaders are calling for which he is to sort of taking a step back and realize that the divisive rhetoric in our political
speech is now spilling over into actual violence. The President wants to have his cake and eat it too. He can go to his rally and lather up the
base and then go to a synagogue and stand there as the President of the United States and call for unity. And he is not required because he is
Trump to reconcile any of those contradictions.
GORANI: I want to let the viewers know the image is a live image from the Tree of Life synagogue. Where the massacre took place, leaving 11
worshipers dead there. Rebecca Berg, this birth right, it is basically a grenade, right, a week before the midterms even though it is enshrined in
the Constitution this right that anyone born on U.S. soil becomes a U.S. citizen -- what is the President doing there do you think? Is this just a
way to keep his hardline immigration plan alive and motivate his base before this important vote next week?
[13:05:00] REBECCA BERG, CNN POLITICAL REPORTER: Sure, it is worth noting that the President himself didn't raise this issue. He was asked about it
in an interview and then responded. But, of course, he did float the trial balloon. He could have dodged the question. He could have moved on to a
different topic or moved onto the question of immigration more broadly. But he did float the trial balloon. So, there is some motivation, clearly,
on the part of the President to be focusing on this issue. Really it all goes back to immigration and the midterm elections. The President and
Republicans view immigration as one of the issues that motivate Republican voters. And they believe will energize their base to support Republican
candidates. They have been not only talking about this on the campaign trail but also talking about it in advertisements, whereas Democrats have
been focused on health care for their top issue, the top issue for Republicans has been taxation and immigration. This is the turf that the
President wants to fight his midterm election on politically. That's why we are seeing him going back to this issue a week until election day.
GORANI: To Pittsburgh, John, as we keep our eye on what is going on there. The President will be visiting the system he is expected to leave
Washington, D.C. at 2:30, an hour and a half from now, he will be arriving in the coming hours. How has the massacre at the tree of life, Josh, do
you think changed things with his -- internationally it has received so much attention, the level of horror there, and the targeting of Jews in
their own country, the worst anti-Semitic attack in American history. What are its ripple affects?
ROGAN: Although the president of the United States may not think that this fundamentally changes the way that American debate should be conducted.
More broadly, we see across the political spectrum, you know, a recognition that this sort of caustic and angry environment and sort of tolerance, a
wink and a nod towards racist and alt right actors in our political speech has just gone too far. And now this is plain for everybody to see. And
everybody is looking for, you know, a way to step back from the brink and to return to some sort of semblance of sort of comity and normalness in our
political speech. There is also a crackdown on spaces where racists and bigots go to congregate on line to reduce domestic terrorists not just
those terrorists from the Middle East. Those are big sea changes in the American political system that will play out over time whether or not the
President of the United States wants them too or not.
GORANI: And the sending of more than 5,000 active duty troops to the border when this caravan of people on foot is weeks and weeks away if it
ever reaches the border from getting to the United States, how should we view that?
BERG: I mean it is absolutely politically motivated. This is something that the President and the administration are doing to keep immigration in
focus for the American people at this moment, to keep it at the forefront of the political discussion that we are having in the public sphere. So,
the President, as I said, believes that immigration is an issue that is good for Republicans politically. He believes it excites their voters. So
there needs to be an element of fear, of anxiety to really motivate team to go to the polls. So, Republican believe -- this sounds somewhat cynical
but it's true. Republicans believe that if their voters are afraid of some imminent threat, vis-a-vis immigration, then they are more like low to go
out and support Republican candidates than they would be if they if the like everything is fine and they felt comfortable and happy.
GORANI: Yes.
BERG: So, this is about keeping Republican voters on high alert going into the election.
GORANI: We'll see if it works for the Republicans. I will be speaking to a Democratic candidate from a very red state, Nebraska, a little bit later
in the program. Rebecca Berg, Josh Rogen thanks to both of you. There are funeral services beginning today, two brothers, see sell and David Rosen
that will, their services were take place today. There is also a funeral service for Dr. Jerry Rabinowitz taking place. Three of the 11 who were
killed. As we continue to keep our eye on what's going on in Pittsburgh and we anticipate the visit by the President will be taking place today.
But there will be other funerals as well in the coming days. We will go back to Pittsburgh. Jean Casarez Is there. She's going to be reporting
for us.
[13:10:00] [00:10:00] I want to bring you an update on what is happening in Indonesia. Debris is still being pulled from the water. However, the
cause of Monday's Indonesian Airliner crash remains unknown. It is interesting. This was a brand-new plane. The plane was carrying 18 of the
passengers and crew members when it fell into satisfy, just minutes after taking off from Jakarta. The flight recorders are still missing. This is
what will give investigators their clues, it will paint a picture of what happened with this plane. Divers have been gathering the victims' remains.
Ivan Watson reports on the search.
IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: This is just one of more than 30 ships and aircraft involved in this difficult job now, trying
to locate missing lion air flight 610. And they have been bringing in these gruesome delivers of debris from the plane as well as remains of some
of the 189 passengers and crew who were on board when it went down. Another boat just arrived, bringing in more debris from the sea. I have
seen some of the personal effects, including a child's shoe being brought off of one of these vessels, and I am sad to say, there's the smell of
decomposition in the air from some of the human remains as well. The authorities have collected DNA from relatives to help with the difficult
identification process. Meanwhile, the Indonesian President Widodo was here this afternoon personally inspecting a very complicated operation
here. The sun is setting here, but nobody is heading home any time soon. The salvage effort is still very much underway. It involves divers,
underwater submersibles, sonar, and then trying to sight debris from the sky and from the surface of the sea as well. Up until now, the authorities
have not located the main fuselage of the plane, nor have they found the data flight recorders, the black boxes, that could hopefully yield some
information that could help solve the mystery of why a brand-new Boeing 737 went hurdling out of the sky so soon after liftoff. Ivan Watson, CNN, in
Indonesia.
GORANI: Still to come tonight, a story that's been making headlines all over the world because it concerns the entire world. Will iconic creatures
like tiger and rhinos soon only be found in museums. Startling reports on threats to wildlife just ahead.
And of course, much more from Pittsburgh as that community begins to lay its victims to rest. We'll be right back.
[13:15:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Well, the funerals began earlier today for some of the synagogue shooting victims. Jean Casarez is in Pittsburgh with more. Jean, tell us
about what I can imagine is a very emotional day if you can hear me, Jean, for the Jewish community.
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, I can. Hala, there have been so many emotions in Pittsburgh. I got here just hours after the shooting.
The emotions ran the gamut. But today it is solemn. Paying respects. The first two funerals are underway right now. I am at the tree of life
synagogue. They are not taking place at this synagogue, of course, because this is where the massacre took place. It is a crime scene. Law
enforcement continuing their crime scene investigation. But I want you to look at the memorial behind me. All morning, people have been coming here.
And they are laying their flowers. They are paying their respects. Just on and on. I have just seen people come that don't appear to know anyone
involved, and they had their flowers with them and they take them out of their backpacks and they just place them by one of the victims' names. And
it is just very, very chilling. This is taking place while, as I said, the investigation continues. But also, while there now is a defendant. That
defendant is in federal custody in the local jail waiting his next court appearance on Thursday.
GORANI: And the President, as we were reporting, is leaving Washington, D.C. at 2:30, about an hour and 15 minutes from now. We know the rabbi of
the Tree of Life is welcoming of the President. But not everyone else is. What is the mood there just ahead of this Presidential visit?
CASAREZ: You know, I think the emotions are running high. The opinions are mixed. And Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, who is the rabbi of the Tree of Life
synagogue, who was officiating on Saturday he said publicly on CNN that he welcomed the President to come to Pittsburgh. "I am a citizen, he is my
President." He also said this morning on CNN he has gotten hundreds of e- mails of people who didn't agree with his words. He stood firm on CNN this morning and said I looked at all the e-mails that I got, and the e-mails
were filled with hate. He said, the hatred has to stop. Just has to stop and we have to have unity and of course today reverence for these victims.
GORANI: Jean Casarez in Pittsburgh, thanks very much. We will be revisiting that story in the coming hour with more.
This is a jaw dropping story in the worst possible way. Do no harm is the key principles of medical ethics and one which this man, a former nurse,
says he violated over and over again at two German hospitals between 2000 and 2005. You cannot comprehend the numbers I am going to tell you here.
Niels Hoegel confessed to killing at least 100 patients in his care. 100. He is accused of giving his victims drugs they had not been prescribed in
order to show off his resuscitation skills, and he said, to stave off boredom. Authorities say the true number of victims may never be known.
The trial is expected to run until May next year. He is already incarcerated, having been found guilty of killing six people already. But
the admission here is he could have killed possibly 100, possibly more.
Now to this story, jumping from one to another, this one with importance that spreads way beyond the borders of a single country. The World
Wildlife Fund is issuing a dire warning in a very alarming new report, conservation group says wildlife populations across the globe have fallen
by more than half over the past 40 years and it is all human beings' fault.
The WWF says the decline is due to development, deforestation and climate change. It is calling for urge end action claiming this is the last
generation that can save nature. That report comes off the heels of a major setback for wildlife activists. After 25 years, China has once again
legalized the sale of endangered tiger bones and rhino horns for medical use as long as they come from farmed animals. David McKenzie is in
Johannesburg with more. After that montage there, pictures of beautiful animals, what impact will this legalization of some of these horns and
tusks have on wildlife in Africa for instance?
[13:20:00] DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It could have a devastating impact. The Humane Society saying it is a death warrant for
these species. What it entails is that China is lifting this ban saying they will allow the medicinal use of rhino horn and tiger bones. It is
very important to stress, there is no evidence that there is any been fit to using these products. The humane society saying it is a death warrant
for these species. What it entails is that China is lifting this ban saying they will allow the medicinal use of rhino horn and tiger bones. It
is very important to stress, there is no evidence that there is any been fit to using these products. The rhino horn is made from keratin, the same
product that's in your nails and in your hair. It doesn't have any medicinal benefit. But they are moving ahead with it. The worry is it is
just the first step that this might be a first step toward legalizing the trade for farmed animals like this. The reason this is worrying, Hala, is
because conservationists say there is a smoke screen created by the legal trade and that illegal poaching will slip into the sly. Hala.
GORANI: David McKenzie, thanks very much for the update.
Now to the distressing study by the World Wildlife Fund. Is it reversible? What should each of us do. Jeff Corwin joins us, he is the host of "Ocean
Treks with Jeff Corwin." Thanks for being with us. Let's talk about this report, the report itself. What's your reaction to it? Because we are
talking about animal populations and species declining by 60 -- potentially 70 percent in the last several decades.
JEFF CORWIN, HOST OF "OCEAN TREKS WITH JEFF CORWIN": WELL, Hala, this has been on the radar screen for while. Now it is reinforced by nearly half a
century of data and it is quite startling. It is quite stark. It is quite tragic, and it is amazingly distressful. Yes, we have, in 40 years, lost
of 60-plus percent of our wild populations of species. We know that every half an hour a species on our planet becomes extinct. And of course, now
with this new deregulation and opportunity for the sale of endangered species parts in China mixed with the U.S. no longer taking its stance as a
leader in monitoring this illegal black-market activity it all comes together to be sort of the nail in the existing coffin for thousands of
species.
GORANI: This predates this administration. This has been the case, the trend for decades now. I wonder, I mean, what needs to be done? First of
all, without waiting for policy from governments, what can each one of us do?
CORWIN: That's an excellent question. And we are still in the window of hope. But that window is closing very, very fast. Ultimately, it comes
down to saving habitat. Wild animals need wild places to thrive. We lose 3,000 acres of rainforest every hour. We know that the Barrier Reef off of
Australia is in critical life support. By protecting habitat, by ensuring, and regulating the import, export, black market endangered species to law
enforcement. By educating ourselves and stewardship how we use and live more sustainably with natural resources these are kind of the small baby
steps. But it is being argued right now, Hala, today, rights now, at this moment, we are the last generation, we are the last enclave of hope for the
survival of these endangered species. It's new or never. Our kids will pay the price if we don't fix this in and out.
GORANI: The same index stated that animal populations, wildlife populations can declined by 30 percent in 2012. Now we are talking 60
percent. How did we jump by so much in just a few years?
CORWIN: Because we are seeing a dramatic exponential decline in these populations. The mistake that we have made historically is that when we
will be at these problems -- climate change, happen at the loss, pollution, black market, human population growth, Hala, we think of them as in a
vacuum. What we forgot to recognize is that they conspire together. You cut down habitat, release carbon into the atmosphere contributing to
climate change, you cut down the rainforest you take those animals and make them vulnerable as victims to the black-market wildlife chain. When your
population is reduced by 80 percent, the next time you reduce it is by 60 percent. When you shave off the differences from one generation to the
next in the loss of these vital species.
[13:25:00] GORANI: Jeff Corwin, thanks for joining us. Host of "Ocean Treks with Jeff Corwin."
We have some breaking news. The notorious ganger, Whitey Bulger, we are hearing he has been found dead inside a prison in West Virginia. Multiple
officials telling CNN that James "Whitey" Bulger was killed in the Hazelton Federal Prison facility in West Virginia. Jason Carroll is tracking the
story from New York with more. Who are we talking about? What do we know happened here?
JAMES CARROLL, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Very good questions, Hala.
This is what we are trying to get to the bottom of. Multiple sources confirm that James "Whitey" Bulger again 89 years old was killed at that
Hazelton facility in West Virginia early this morning. Details of who was responsible, how it happened, these are some of the things we are still
trying to confirm. Again, we can tell you that he had just been moved to this facility from another facility in Florida. Then transported to
another one in Oklahoma, then this facility in West Virginia. Again, still trying to get the details of the how that it happened. A little bit of
history. This is a man who was serving a life sentence after being convicted back in 2013 of a litany of crimes including racketeering and
murder as well. At one point, for i16years he was on the lam.
For 12 of those years he was listed on the FBI's ten most wanted list behind only Osama Bin Laden. He will be known as a notorious crime figure
here in the United States and in fact probably around the world. Irish American organized crime boss of the Winter Hill Gang in Boston. On
December 23rd, 1994, he fled prison -- fled Boston I should say and went into hiding after being tipped off apparently by a former FBI handler.
This is a man who has already earned his place in crime history in the United States. He lived a violent life and it apparently came to a violent
end.
GORANI: Any idea -- I imagine it is too early for authorities to say who they suspect might have done it, a fellow inmate potentially?
CARROLL: Well, he was there in a prison with other inmates. But, again, it's too early to tell at this point. Officials will only confirm at this
point that he was killed. He had been in failing health, 89 years old, but they are confirming at this point that he was killed at that facility in
West Virginia early this morning. Hala.
GORANI: Thanks Jason Carroll, for an update on that breaking news. The notorious gangster, Whitey Bulger killed this morning in a prison in West
Virginia.
Still to come tonight, a new reality for American Jews in the wake of the synagogue massacre.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Before everyone was just saying how they felt stronger and they felt braver. I don't feel brave. I just feel scared.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: How the attack is part of an alarming spike in anti-Semitic incidents across America. Next.
[13:30:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: Next hour, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to head to Pittsburgh to pay his respects to Saturday's synagogue massacre victims.
The first of the funerals is being held today. People lined up Tuesday morning to pay tribute. Now, online people are showing their support by
uniting behind the #strongerthanhate. This is a live image -- by the way, a live video feed of the Tree of Life synagogue. And you can see the
camera crews assembled still.
It was once unthinkable, unthinkable that such an attack could happen in the United States. But the synagogue massacre highlights a disturbing
trend of anti-Jewish incidents that is on the rise in the United States.
CNN's Sara Sidner has our story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SARA SIDNER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Investigators say Robert Bowers wanted all Jews to die. The suspect using his arsenal of weapons to try and kill as
many Jews as he could now faces a myriad of hate crime and murder charges.
In Squirrel Hill, the center of Jewish life in and around Pittsburgh, resident Hallie Goldstein says fear was never part of the equation, until
now.
HALLIE GOLDSTEIN, SQUIRREL HILL RESIDENT: Before, everyone was just saying how they felt stronger and they felt braver. And I don't feel brave. I
just feel scared.
SIDNER: Now, there is reason to fear. Eleven people were just slaughtered in a synagogue in America. For years, incidents of anti-Semitism were on
the decline in America. Then came the 2016 presidential election.
Since then, a meteoric rise, 34 percent increase in 2016. A 57 percent increase in 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League that tracks it.
JONATHAN GREENBLATT, CEO, ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE: That's the single largest surge we've ever seen since we started tracking this data.
SIDNER: Nothing is sacred, not human life, or places of worship, or even where the dead are buried. In Omaha, Nebraska, a veteran's memorial
scarred with a swastika. In Indiana, a synagogue desecrated. In Sacramento, California, flyers targeting Jewish students on campus.
MICHAEL GOFMAN, STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, DAVIS: It screams of the same type of graphics and the same type of design that
the Nazis used.
SIDNER: This is in Potter's County, Pennsylvania, just a few months ago.
DANIEL BURNSIDE, NEO-NAZI: This is my country.
SIDNER: It's great. This is also my country.
BURNSIDE: You guys didn't win the culture war.
Get the (BLEEP) out of here, now.
SIDNER: And no one can forget the torch bearing man in Charlottesville, Virginia, spewing their hate-filled rhetoric.
CROWD: Jews will not replace us.
SIDNER: What is behind all this? The ADL and those who track hate say there is no doubt political rhetoric is in part to blame. That rhetoric
can be subtle or in your face. Like U.S. representative, Steve King, for example, retweeting messages from a known Nazi sympathizer.
REP. STEVE KING (R), IOWA: I'm not deleting that because then you all pile on me and say King had to apologize, he was wrong. He knows he's guilty.
I'm not. I don't feel guilty one bit. I'm human.
SIDNER: This Trump political ad raised eyebrows featuring prominent Jews to target global special interests.
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: And for the Global special interest.
SIDNER: While those accused of anti-Semitism for years like Louis Farrakhan continue to tweet and make inflammatory statements.
GREENBLATT: When Jews are literally under attack, we should have a zero -- a zero tolerance policy on intolerance. It's unacceptable that anyone from
the president, to Minister Farrakhan, to anyone in between should be make derisive comments. And all of it should be called out. All of it should
be unacceptable.
SIDNER: It all adds up. And let's not forget what's happening online. On the social media site Gab, for example, the same site that the suspect used
to spew anti-Semitic rhetoric, there are dozens, hundreds of memes and words and vial, vial pictures that are anti-Semitic. Many of those who
were white supremacists or neo-Nazis that got kicked off of spaces like Twitter migrated to Gab after what happened in Charlottesville. We need to
remember that that too has an impact.
Sara Sidner, CNN, Pittsburgh.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Well, it's important to point out that hate can be found throughout the political spectrum, of course. It's a message the rabbi of
Tree of Life wants Americans and the world to hear.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RABBI JEFFREY MYERS, TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE: Hate doesn't know a political party. Hate is not blue. Hate is not red. Hate is not purple. Hate is
in all. I turn to them to say, tone down the hate, speak words of love. Speak words of decency and of respect. When that message comes loud and
clear, Americans will hear that and we can begin to change the tenor of our country.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: That is the rabbi of Tree of Life.
I want to bring in conservative radio host and former U.S. congressman, Joe Walsh. Joe, you have a radio show. What are your listeners telling you
about this massacre at the synagogue? Because we have seen such an increase in these anti-Semitic attacks in the last couple of years.
JOE WALSH, CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST: Yes, we have. Especially in the past year and a half. It's good to be with you. Look, most of my listeners
tend to be conservative. They're devastated and they're angry.
[13:35:03] I think it's important to point out two things. America -- as you and I have talked about before, America is really divided. I mean
extremely divided. Now, Trump didn't create that divide. He's actually the product of the divide. That's important point, number one.
But the second thing I would say is Donald Trump is not a uniter. He is a divider. Donald Trump will never unite this country. He's just not
capable of that.
GORANI: Yes. There's another ingredient here. And that's these wild, bizarre, and sometimes, in the end, damaging conspiracy theories that are
shared online, that circulate, that are amplified, that are multiplied millions and millions of times. And the president and some of his
supporters do nothing to dispel them.
I mean one that comes to mind that really many people have called a dog whistle to anti-Semites is the George Soros conspiracy theory.
WALSH: Yes.
GORANI: Funding caravans of migrant invaders and that kind of thing. How much does that play into what we're seeing?
WALSH: It does. It plays a lot in. Again, I always want to be careful and say the guy responsible for what happened at that synagogue is the guy
who pulled the trigger. But you make a great point. America, especially my listeners, very concerned about the caravan.
But these conspiracies surrounding the caravan, that George Soros and the Democrats are funding it, there's no proof of that. And the president
helps spread that, which is pretty despicable. Again, this guy --
GORANI: But do your listeners find it despicable? I mean, the middle -- the unknown Middle Easterner one was another one of my favorites. Frankly,
I cover the Middle East. I think Middle Easterners, the last thing on their mind is joining a migrant caravan in Central America. They kind of
have other things on their mind right now.
But do your listeners believe some of these conspiracy theories? Does it motivate their vote?
WALSH: They want to believe them. That's why you're right, when the president sort of nods and winks at them, then the listeners, the
conservatives in the country go, oh, it must be true.
But again, I want to emphasize this point. Donald Trump is a divider. He's on one side. Instead of trying to unite both sides he's on one side
in this divide. We're not -- we can't ask him to try to unite the country. That's not going to happen.
GORANI: But I found interesting that even among conservatives there's a division. Just what you're saying here is interesting to me. You're
politically very conservative. Shep Smith of Fox News as well said this to his viewers yesterday. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHEP SMITH, ANCHOR, FOX NEWS CHANNEL: The migrants according to Fox News reporting are more than two months away, if any of them actually come here.
But tomorrow is one week before the midterm election. Which is what all of this is about. There is no invasion. No one's coming to get you. There's
nothing at all to worry about.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: I found this quite remarkable. What did you think, Joe?
WALSH: I did, too. And I really respect Shep for saying that. Look, most people in my business, the conservative media, they're right with the
president on this. And they've seen election a week away and they're trying to scare people to go to the polls.
I believe the caravan is a concern. But I will fully acknowledge that the president is using it as a political issue. But that's not going to
change.
GORANI: So what is the solution? Because you're in a privileged position to have ideas in the sense that you're politically conservative, certainly
to the right of centrist politicians. You have this radio show where you listen to Trump supporters who believe some of these conspiracy theorist.
What is the solution to get the country to unite once again?
WALSH: I'm going to give you a horrible answer. I don't think this country is uniting any time soon. Certainly not in the next week because
we're like this. We're at each other's necks for this election. And then as soon as this election comes and goes, well then you've got a
presidential election coming.
We're at a point in our history where this divide, unfortunately, is going to get worse and worse, I believe.
GORANI: Joe Walsh, on that note, we'll leave it there. Thanks for joining us. Really appreciate your time, as always, on the program.
Still to come tonight, Donald Trump, as we were discussing there with Joe Walsh, in full campaign mode, in the homestretch before the midterms. I
asked a Democrat who wants to win a staunchly Republican seat how her party is going to pull off that so-called blue wave.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[13:40:44] GORANI: One week and counting until the midterm elections in the United States. President Trump is planning a campaign blitz in the
final days to try and help Republican candidates across the country.
Take look at his travel itinerary. He's hitting Ohio, Florida, Montana, West Virginia, Georgia, in a jam-packed few days.
Meanwhile, Democratic House candidates are entering the stretch run with momentum, fund-raising numbers, especially from small dollar donors are
going through the roof for some of candidates. So there's some enthusiasm on the Democratic side that we're seeing renewed here.
One Democratic nominee hoping to make that talk of a blue wave a reality is Kara Eastman. She's in the race for Nebraska's second congressional
district. She has an uphill battle though. Eastman is running on a progressive platform taking on the incumbent Republican, Don Bacon in a
deeply red state. She joins us live from Omaha, Nebraska. Kara Eastman, thanks for being with us.
The latest polling is not going in your favor. You're around 40, 42 percent. Your opponent -- the Republican opponent is at 51 percent. How
do you intend to close that gap?
KARA EASTMAN (D), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE, NEBRASKA: Hi. Well, thank you for having me. Actually, the very latest polling shows that we are in a
dead heat. And this is actually not as Republican of a district as people think. The Republicans only have the Democrats beat by about a three
percent lead. But a quarter of the electorate are independent and they do tend to lean Democrat. So we're feeling really good about my chances.
GORANI: And what -- why do you -- because you defeated -- a quote-unquote, "established" man Democratic candidate in the Democratic primary. What's
going on -- explain to worldwide viewers what the trend is here that leads to victories for candidates like yourself.
Eastman: Well, I think first of all, people are tired of politics as usual. And they're frustrated with the system. So somebody who is running
on a platform like I am, where I have refused corporate PAC money and basically denouncing the corruption in politics, I think that's appealing
to people.
Also, traditionally, we've had more conservative Democrats run in this district and lose or win by a very small margin. And what we saw was that
when we ran on authenticity and integrity, but also a pragmatic the rest of the platform, we doubled Democratic turnout in the primary.
GORANI: Is this a referendum on Donald Trump? I want to run -- because you were -- you debated your Republican opponent on television. I want to
run a bit of an exchange between the two of you and get back to you off the back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
EASTMAN: I think it's really important right now that we're looking at the rhetoric that is coming unfortunately from the highest level of leadership
in this country where these despicable acts are condoned in some ways, even provoked.
REP. DON BACON (R), NEBRASKA: What she says attributes part of this to President Trump, Kara Eastman is part of the problem. She's going to bring
those, if she was elected, this animosity, this vitriol, this rancor, this demonization of the president to Washington. We have too much of that
right now.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Is this a referendum on the president? It seems like whatever question is asked, candidates in debates go back to talking about the
president?
[13:45:06] EASTMAN: I'm not running against the president. I'm not even really running against my opponents. I feel right now a sense of
desperation for our country. I feel like the values that are coming out of the highest level of leadership just don't represent who we are as
Americans. It certainly doesn't represent who we are as Nebraskans. And I'm just -- I'm running for our country right now and particularly for our
children.
GORANI: Yes. I mean, Nebraska is a very red state. Donald Trump, I think got 60 percent of the vote in your state. But as I was researching this
interview with you, I saw that your campaign finance director -- that a dead animal was left at his home. I mean, this is nasty, nasty stuff. Are
you concerned that some of the rhetoric that we're seeing online -- I mean, this is actually in the real physical world. Somebody tried to intimidate
your finance director and you with a dead animal.
EASTMAN: Yes, of course, I'm concerned. I mean it's gross. And it's unnecessary. What we've done -- we've run a really good, positive campaign
with a strong message, a very strong grassroots campaign where we've knocked on over 160,000 doors in our district.
And we've just laid out a policy platform that's different from my opponent. And my hope is that people just go and vote for the person that
they think represents their values the most.
GORANI: I asked Joe Walsh, very conservative radio talk show host, Joe Walsh, what would it take to unite America? So, I'll ask you the same
question. What do you think it will take to unite America?
EASTMAN: Well, first, I think we need new leadership. We need new leadership at all levels of government. And we need people who are wanting
to bring people together. I'm a social worker by trade. I'm trained to bring people together to solve problems. And I think that if the American
public sees that there are leaders out there who are actually willing to stand up and fight for them, for the issues that they care about, health
care, education, the environment, that maybe we can start -- together --
GORANI: All right. And just on cue, Kara Eastman's connection went down there. Kara Eastman is a Democratic candidate in Nebraska, running in
Nebraska's second congressional district against a Republican candidate, Don Bacon. Currently -- last poll I saw, leading Kara Eastman there
saying, in fact, the gap has closed. We'll know soon enough which one of those two candidates wins. That'll be next Tuesday.
We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
GORANI: This week, CNN is showcasing some of the most iconic elements of India. We're bringing you a story about one of the country's oldest dance
traditions. This time -- last night, we're sorry, it was interrupted by breaking news. So here it is again. Amara Walker has the story.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
AMARA WALKER, CNN INTERNATIONAL ANCHOR: With the staccato of taps against a wooden block, Saroja Vaidyanathan directs her students as they practice
one of India's oldest dance traditions, Bharatanatyam.
A display of theatricality and faith, the dance requires precision of movement, gesture, and expression. It demands the engagement of every
muscle from the feet to the face.
[13:50:04] SAROJA VAIDYANATHAN, CHOREOGRAPHER: In the heart, you are changing your character very beautifully.
WALKER: Vaidyanathan is considered one of the foremost gurus of Bharatanatyam, a dance traditionally performed as a solo by a woman.
Today, it's considered one of the iconic performing arts of India.
VAIDYANATHAN: I have a lot of love in this. The (INAUDIBLE) role in the culture and heritage is astonishing to me. The hope come they are so
interesting.
WALKER: Dakshina Vaidyanathan is Saroja's granddaughter, and herself an accomplished dancer of this style.
DAKSHINA VAIDYANATHAN, CHOREOGRAPHER: I mean, I just grew up thinking dance was a part of life. Like I learned to walk. Like I learned to talk.
I learned to dance. And it was a part of my every day.
WALKER: Bharatanatyam, first emerged more than 2,000 years ago in the Hindu temples of South India in Tamil Nadu.
D. VAIDYANATHAN: It was not exactly a dance form, initially. It started more like a form of worship. The women who danced in the temples were
called Devadasi. Deva name meaning God. Dasi meaning servant or devotee.
WALKER: It's all part of the tradition of movements passed down from one generation to the next, from grandmother to granddaughter.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GORANI: Now back to our top story. In the wake of the massacre at an American synagogue, people of all faiths have come together to support
Pittsburgh's Jewish community.
Now, one crowd funding campaign called Muslims Unite for Pittsburgh Synagogue has raised nearly $200,000. The Islamic Center of Pittsburgh is
offering to help the victims' families get any support they need. Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
WASI MOHAMED, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ISLAMIC CENTER FOR PITTSBURGH: We just want to know what you need. You know, if it's more money, let us know. If
it's people outside your next service, you know, protecting you, let us know, we'll be there.
(APPLAUSE)
If you need organizers on the ground engage, we'll provide them. If you need anything at all -- if you need food for the families, if you just need
somebody to come to the grocery store because you don't feel safe in this city, we'll be there. And I'm sure everybody in the room will say the same
thing. We're here for the community.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
GORANI: Well, Wasi Mohamed in who you just saw in that video joins me now live. He's the executive director of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh.
Wasi Mohamed, thanks for being us. What reaction have you gotten to this fundraising campaign?
MOHAMED: I mean it's been tremendous. The community is really appreciative. Barriers that they thought existed and divisions that they
thought existed aren't there. And it was such a dark time. And they see it as a ray of hope and something positive to takeout of this terrible
situation.
GORANI: And you say it's not just about money, though the crowdfunding effort raised $200,000 or so. But also about providing support in kind. I
mean, helping people if they don't feel safe, go to the grocery store or go to the synagogue to worship, et cetera. Has anybody asked you for that
kind of thing or your community for that kind of assistance?
MOHAMED: Yes. Our inbox is filled with invitations to synagogues, this weekend, services. I just came from two funerals, David and Cecil
Rosenthal, and Jerry Rabinowitz. We were invited there. So, yes, we've taken them up on their offer, have been on the ground with them.
And, also, the important part is not just about money. It's about giving them hope. I don't want -- I don't have one person -- I don't want one
person to make the rest of the community, you know, them think everybody doesn't welcome them. The hatred of one person shouldn't define Pittsburgh
and whether or not they feel welcome.
So we hope that this money and us showing up will show them that, you know, of all people, the Muslim community appreciates them, the Pittsburgh
community appreciates them.
GORANI: You said essentially you're returning the favor, that during dark times for some Muslim Americans that you received help, that your community
received help. What did you mean by that?
MOHAMED: It was important. So after 9/11, there were messages from the Jewish community and outreach. And after this election cycle with
President Trump in 2015, that was so negative and divisive and hateful. The Muslim community was under attack, physical violence, threats, the
Jewish community showed up in Pittsburgh to our Islamic center. They were there for us then. They're there for us in 2015.
It's just all we could do to repay them, you know, for those kindnesses. It's really that we have a strong connection in this city. And we know
that it's all about that connection, because whether or not you feel welcome an area is complicated.
And even though there's national rhetoric that's against you, if you have somebody with you that stands with you in your lone community, it goes a
long way. And so we're doing that for them now so they don't get caught up in the hatred of one individual that the stories are about the people when
we lost and those who we loved. And that should be the focus, not some person, you know, that we don't even want to say his name.
[13:55:19] GORANI: Tell me personally for you an exchange or a conversation that has touched you in the last 24 hours. Just an example
that -- or an experience that you know will stay with you.
MOHAMED: Yes. So one of the community members in Pittsburgh came up and talk to me. And he said he was in the IDF, you know. And then a lot of
community members used to be go around here and they talk about.
GORANI: The Israeli army. Yes.
MOHAMED: And they -- yes, and he was not sure, you know, if that community members would be happy or not, you know. The Muslim community would like
applaud this. Let alone come out in such strong support of the community.
So seeing him with a tear in his eye and offering to come and, you know, visit our center and break down those barriers, that was -- it's a really
special moment.
GORANI: Well, out of the darkness, there, we see a ray of light. Thank you, Wasi Mohamed of the Islamic Center of Pittsburgh for joining us on
CNN.
MOHAMED: My pleasure. Thank you.
GORANI: "QUEST MEANS BUSINESS" is up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
