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Super Tuesday 3.0; Inside Rebel-held Syria; Leicester City Football Club Gaining Worldwide Fans With Improbable Run; U.S. Offers Help in Investigating Ivory Coast Attacks. New Aired 11:00a-12:00p ET
Aired March 14, 2016 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
[11:00:17] CLARISSA WARD, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: There was just an airstrike here in the town of Ariha (ph). So, we're now driving very
quickly.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BECKY ANDERSON, HOST: From deep inside rebel-held Syrian territory our own Clarissa Ward and team witnessed an airstrike hit a crowded market. That
exclusive report is next.
I'm Becky Anderson.
Also ahead the race for the White House heats up. Candidates hit the campaign trail for one final push before all important states Florida and
Ohio head to the polls.
And...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He upset the entire apple cart. He has disrupted politics. We have never seen anything like this.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Talking Trump up in the air and on the road. I travel with the political mastermind behind President Obama's successful campaign and get
his take on the election this time around.
ANNOUNCER: Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World with Becky Anderson.
ANDERSON: A good evening. Just after 7:00 here in the UAE.
After five years of war and hundreds of thousands of lives lost, the United Nations says this is the moment of truth for Syria.
Well, a new round of peace talks began today in Geneva. The Syrian government and main opposition group are meeting indirectly through UN
envoy Staffan de Mistura.
A fragile truce paved the way for what are these crucial talks, and the stakes couldn't be higher for Syria's civilians, especially the youngest
victims of the conflict.
A new report by UNICEF an entire generation is at risk. 1 in 3 Syrian kids is known nothing but a lifetime of war. de Mistura says the situation
simply cannot continue.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAFFAN DE MISTURA, UN ENVOY TO SYRIA: 3.7 million children under 5. What does it mean? Have they seen anything beyond the war? Have they seen
anything that looks a normal life? 3.7 million children have only seen war in Syria. 7 million of them live in families which are on the level of
pre-poverty. 900 of them, almost 1,000, were killed last year, and 150 of them while they were sitting in their own schools.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, the talks in Geneva then come amid accusations of truce violations by both sides those supporting and those opposed to Bashar al-
Assad's government.
Well, senior international correspondent Clarissa Ward witnessed firsthand the horrors Syrians are enduring. She and producer Salma Abdulaziz went
undercover into rebel-held parts of Syria where virtually no western journalists have gone for more than a year.
They worked with Syria-based filmmaker Bilal Abdul Karim (ph) on this exclusive report. And we warn you, some images are graphic and disturbing.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CLARISSA WARD, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Moving through rebel-held northern Syria is difficult and dangerous. As foreign
journalists in areas with a strong jihadist presence, we had to travel undercover to see a war few outsiders have witnessed.
The city of Idlib is the only provincial capital under rebel control. This was its courthouse until it was hit by an air strike in December. Dozens
were killed.
40-year-old lawyer, Talal Aljawi, told us he was inside the building when it was hit. His arm was smashed, but he was lucky to survive.
TALAL ALJAWI, LAWYER (through translation): The Russian planes target anything that works in the interest of the people. The goal is that people
here live a destroyed life, that people never see any good, that they never taste life. This is the tax of living in a liberated area.
WARD: An hour later, we saw that tax for ourselves while filming in a town nearby. We heard the scream of fighter jets wheeling overhead.
WARD: Moments later, a hit.
(on camera): There was just an air strike here in the town of Ariha. So we're now driving very quickly. It's not clear yet what was hit, but we are
hearing that there are still planes in the sky.
(voice-over): Arriving on the scene, our team found chaos and carnage.
Volunteers shouted for an ambulance as they tried to ferret out the wound. For many, it was too late.
A woman lay dead on the ground, a jacket draped over her, in an attempt to preserve her dignity.
Russia has repeatedly claimed it is only hitting terrorist targets. This strike hit a busy fruit market.
[11:05:31] UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translation): This is just a civilian market. This is not a military area.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (through translation): There are no military installations here or anything. It's a market. Look. It's a market. A fruit
market. Is this what you want, Bashar?
WARD: We couldn't stay long. Often jets circle back to hit the same place twice. It's called a double tap.
(on camera): We just arrived here at the hospital where they're bringing the dead and the wounded from those three strikes in Ariha, which hit a
park and a fruit market. We don't know the exact number of casualties there. But the scenes of devastation, blood on the ground, dismembered body
parts, and the injured and dead that we've seen arriving here indicate that this was a very bad strike indeed.
(voice-over): Among the injured brought in, a young boy moaning in pain. He died moments later.
The strikes on Ariha that day killed 11 people, among them, a woman and two children. Rescue workers wasted no time in clearing away the rubble. In
this ugly war, massacres have become routine.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And Clarissa joining us live with more now tonight out of New York.
Clarissa, as you said in your report, Russia has repeatedly stated it does not hit civilian targets, but here we see a fruit market getting bombed.
Now, peace talks, perhaps loosely termed, are beginning today in Geneva.
But seeing those harrowing images, Clarissa, I have to wonder, do people on the ground have any faith in the political process?
WARD: Well, the first thing I should say, Becky, is that that -- those images were shot and that incident happened in the days before the cease-
fire took effect, and there has been a significant decrease in activity. Although there have still be airstrikes, they haven't been hitting with the
same ferocity that they were in the beginning of our trip.
But that really does very little to alter the fundamental reality that we found on the ground based on all our conversations with people who
are living in these rebel-held areas who have been living under consistent bombardment from the regime for years and seeing that bombardment grow
increasingly intense with the Russia intervention that happened last September.
And everyone we spoke to essentially said the same thing, there cannot be any peace in Syria, indeed there cannot be any discussion of peace in Syria
without establishing right away that President Bashar al Assad must go. He is a war criminal.
This is very much how people on the ground feel. And it's difficult to understand how exactly diplomats hope to bridge the divide between the
people who are fighting and dying on the ground in Syria and the people who are
meeting in Geneva trying to broker these deals because there's a fundamental disconnect there, Becky.
ANDERSON: Clarissa, thank you.
You can put your questions directly to Clarissa in just 20 minutes from now. I know you have a lot of questions to ask her. Take part in her live
video chat.
And you can do that by heading online to Facebook.com/CNNI. You can ask her
about a trip deep into what was the heart of Syria and anything else that you think you want to hear from her. Again, that is Facebook.com/CNNI.
Well, staying in that region now, Turkey making arrests and carrying out airstrikes after suffering yet another terror attack at home.
Funerals have begun for the victims of a car bomb that went off in a crowded square in Ankara on Sunday. At least 37 people were killed, 125
were wounded.
In response, at least 79 people have been detained in anti-terror raids across Turkey, that's according to the semiofficial Anadolu news agency.
And the Turkish air force is bombing Kurdish separatist targets in Northern Iraq.
Well, our CNN international correspondent Arwa Damon on the ground for us in Ankara tonight. And Arwa, the third major attack since October 2015,
once again demonstrating Turkey's vulnerability to terrorism.
Just what are authorities saying and how are they reacting?
ARWA DAMON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this stage they are saying that they do believe that a terrorist organization is behind the
attack. They are not naming, which one saying that they want to complete their own investigation at this stage, but Turkish media is quoting a
variety of security sources saying that they do believe it is the Kurdish separatist group that Turkey did bomb earlier in the day, as you were
mentioning there, the PKK that was behind this attack.
Turkish media also reporting that at least one of the attackers was female born in 1992. Among those 37 dead are according to to Turkish authorities
one or two of the attackers.
We were at the morgue earlier in the day and it's just absolutely heartbreaking, families, friends, loved ones trying to cope with the scale
of their loss and really the entire city, the nation right now trying to come to grips with what this means for them, for their future, for their
security and the stability of their country, becuase this was at the end of the day a city that was on high alert, that had heightened security
measures following the bombing that happened less than a month ago in February and prior to that the twin suicide bombings that happened in
October.
The area where Sunday's explosion took place seemingly wanting to create maximum casualties and maximum fear just behind us you can see the police
barricade, a white sheet blocking the view for any sort of onlookers. The view of the crime scene that is where the attacker or attackers drove a
vehicle laden with explosives detonating it right next to a bus stop that was according to to
eyewitnessses packed at the time that the attack did take place.
Turkey saying that it will not allow terrorism to win, vowing to bring terror to its knees. Those the words of the president. But at this stage,
as you were staying there, given how vulnerable the population feels, they will
continue to be understandably very anxious and fearful about their future, Becky.
ANDERSO: Arwa Damon is in Ankara in Turkey this evening, much appreciated, Arwa, thank you.
Well, right now, we are trying to solve a mystery surrounding an American who is now in the custody of Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq.
A Kurdish official says the man emerged from ISIS-controlled territory, but who he is is what he was doing there still questions that we need
answering.
CNN's Nick Paton Walsh following this story from Beirut.
What are your sources telling you about who he was doing, Nick?
I have to be honest, Becky, I don't have really many more answers to give you. It is very early stages with this one individual who appears to have
emerged from ISIS-held territory, say some reports near the town of Sinjar, that was liberated by Peshmerga forces from ISIS just late last year here.
He appears to have left their controlled territory and wandered into Peshmerga hands, there seemingly through his own volition. So, the
suggestion perhaps he gave himself up in some way or another.
Now, a video released on social media seems to show him being interrogated by one of the Peshmerga who he was first met by. And in that conversation,
you can hear him say I'm an American. He referred -- how his father is a Palestinian held by ISIS in Mosul. That's the limited information we have.
We know for a Kurdish official that he was carrying an American passport, no dispute about that and our reports showing a Virginia driving license
that perhaps belonged to him too.
But that same Kurdish official says, you know, while the preponderance of doubt here would be suggested that you don't get into ISIS territory as an
American like that unless you're somehow working alongside ISIS. The Kurdish official says they actually don't know at this stage. They are
still investigating. Was he a fighter with ISIS? Was he a journalist or some other reason to be there against perhaps his own will? And they have
handed him over to Kurdish security council officials to try to investigate further.
A potential interesting moment, though, was he fleeing ISIS territory? A lot the of discussion has been about how their morale is holding up after
losses of territory and (inaudible) intense airstrikes and the increased pressure, so I believe upwards of 200 Americans may have gone up to join
ISIS. Was this one of them? Well, further ...
ANDERSON: All right, we're having a few difficulties there. But you get the message. We know very little at this point, but what we do know Nick
Paton Walsh on for you out Beirut this evening.
Still to come, a last-minute sweep of Super Tuesday states. U.S. presidential candidates all over the map hitting the campaign trail hard on
the eve of what could be the most decisive day yet in the race for the White House.
And a glimmer of hope amid the horrific violence in Syria. I'm going to get you the we'll get you the latest on renewed peace talks live from
Geneva. We'll take a very short break. It's 14 minutes past 7:00 here in the UAE. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:17:16] ANDERSON: You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Becky Anderson. Welcome back.
Well, earlier in the show we showed you the horror of the civil war in Syria. We want now to talk more about the latest effort to end it.
Members of the Syrian regime and the opposition are meeting once again in Geneva in Switzerland. The talks are not face to face and they are
expected to be be difficult. The parties discussing the political future of Syria.
Our international diplomatic editor Nic Robertson is in Geneva and joining me now with the latest live from there.
And Clarissa's report, which was harrowing on what is going on in these rebel-held areas documenting the absolute horror of life on the ground in
what was supposed to be, Nic, a cease-fire in the lead up to these talks.
That being said, it's clear the violence has been significantly reduced, which the UN envoy says will provide the chance for these talks to see
successful.
I know it's early days at this point, but is his optimism well founded?
NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: His optimism is born eternal, Becky. I mean, it really seems to be, and it has to be because
he's . he has such a difficult job. I mean, he talked today about bridging the gaps and the gaps are substantial.
Based on what we saw today the first talks began. He met, Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy, met with the Syrian government delegation.
You have to say based on what they both said coming out of that meeting is they haven't gone on to anything substantial.
The Syrian government wanted to talk about procedure and the last round of talks a couple of months ago criticized them for just that back then. You
know, he says that the real test is going to come up on Wednesday when they have had a chance to go back to their government, discuss the issues that
he has clarified for them about the procedure and see if that's going to then get them into real negotiations.
You have to stand here right now and say there's some hope. The reality is the Syrian government haven't got down to business. It's not clear that
they will. Staffan de Mistura also outlined today how he said that there will be some bumps in the road. This is how he put it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STAFFAN DE MISTURA, UN SPECIAL ENVOY TO SYRIA: Spoilers will try to upset the talks by incident, by whatever you will be seeing. And we will be
seeing the called, determined and have the international community endorse as I just mentioned keeping that type of capacity.
Public rhetoric will try to cast preconditions, but this is a moment of truth and hopefully proactive chance.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[11:20:01] ROBERTSON: That moment of truth, the truth he's talking about there is the Syrian government really willing to get into substantive
negotiations? They have made the issue of President Bashar al Assad staying in power as a red line they won't cross. The opposition due to
meet with de Mistura tomorrow has said, no, Assad has to go. Not a precondition, but the point they want to get to -- B ecky.
ANDERSON: Nick, let's be absolutely clear about this for our viewers. Who are the spoilers that the UN envoy refers to?
ROBERTSON: Anyone on the ground in Syria that will plant a big bomb to try to do something utterly horrific just to derail the process. Now, that
could be somebody like ISIS or al Qaeda who are outside of the process, they're not part of the cease-fire. And the idea is to isolate them,
reduce the territory that they have and completely end the fighting.
Of course, the other spoilers would be somebody potentially from either side who wasn't committed to the process or thought that they could get a
better deal by upping the ante and some horrific massacre. I mean, these are the sorts of things that can spoil the situation.
Of course, it would be quite easy for one of the countries that back the groups on the ground. You have got a large Sunni Arab coalition that
supports the opposition, the United States, the Europeans as well. On the other sie, you have the Iranians, Hezbollah and Russia supporting President
Bashar al Assad.
It would be possible for some kind of political intervention, which is really unlikely at this stage, but political intervention on any of their
parts, that could also be a spoiler. The reality is the real spoiler would be a terrific and horrible outrage on the ground that would force one of
the parties to walk away from the table, Becky.
ANDERSON: Nic Robertson is in Geneva. And we were referring to some of our
exclusive coverage of the Syrian conflict, which you can find more of on the website because lest we forget this is about the loss of life of men,
women, and children and it's been going on for more than five years. And it needs to stop.
CNN.com/Syria is where you can watch Clarissa Ward's reporting from Syria. I urge you to do that.
Live from Abu Dhabi, this is Connect the World. Coming up, Ivory Coast is on high alert following Sunday's terror at a beach resort there. We're
going to be live for you in Grand Bassam with all the very latest.
Plus, hoping to redefine luxury. We meet the founders of a fashion house from Canada. That is next on this week's Connectors Series. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DEXTER PEART, CO-FOUNDER, WANT LES ESSENTIALE: I think we've been interested in being in the accessories space. One, because there's a
universality of it. It's one of those areas where you don't have sizes. If you're dependent of who the person who is going to be using your
products, it will fit them inherently.
I'm Dexter Peart, one of the creators directors and co-founders of WANT Les Essentiale.
For the inception of the WANT Les Essentiale brand the goal was really to build something that had a fashionable aesthetic but at the same time had a
modernity to it that it was more than just a fashion product. And that was what the impetus for building a brand that spoke on one side to something
that was beautifully made, sort of artisan, but on the other side it had something about it that felt very personal and very specific to your needs.
[11:25:07] BYRON PEART, CO-FOUNDER WANT LES ESSENIALE: I'm Byron Peart, I'm a co-founder and creative director of WANT Les Essentiale.
We've taken away what some of the -- maybe stripped down some of the typically codes of what people have known in terms of luxury, which could
be logos. We're really looking at that -- the simplicity and the design of the authenticity and integrity of the product as being the most luxurious
items that we can give to a customer.
When we think about the two pillars inside the brand, we tend to reference travel and technology. Those two pillars are a little bit the areas for us
where we're trying to create solutions or help our customers manage and make it as seamless as possible, although these things that are kind of
happening around them in their everyday lives.
How they carry an iPod or an iPhone or a computer changes as the size of those products change, as their needs change. So, we have been
continuinally adapting to those things.
MARK WILTZER, CO-FOUNDER, WANT LES ESSENTIALES: I'm Mark Wiltzer, one of the founders of WANT.
Starting a brand from the ground up is a very difficult thing to do, and I think every day continues to be a challenge. It's very rewarding. You're
presenting a brand and a concept that really no one has really seen before.
Yes, the market has seen bags, and yes, there's people that work in the same fabrications, but the way sort of an author uses words and letters
that already exist he just rearranges them in a different way to make a unique book.
We're taking sort of existing concepts, but I think arranging them in a unique way, presenting them as a very functional way, presenting it as a
modern luxury accessory.
I think we're the quintessential team. And when we make mistakes, we make mistakes together. And when we had success, we celebrate together. So, I
think -- for us it's worked perfectly.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(HEADLINES)
[11:30:30] ANDERSON: Well, the U.S. and France say they will help Ivory Coast investigate Sunday's terror attacks. At least 16 people were killed
there when gunmen stormed three hotels in the beach resort, city of Grand Bassam.
al qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has claimed responsibility.
Well, let's get the latest from David McKenzie. He is there where the attack took place -- David.
DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, that's right, Becky. I'm at the Twelve du Sud (ph) hotel here at Grand Bassam. We're
learning new details of how this attack actually unfolded.
The gunmen appear, according to eye witnesses, to have come from behind me on the street here down past the hotels and then fanned out into two groups
shooting with what appears to been Kalashnikov rifles.
Now, on the scene, there were witnesses who took photos of what appeared to be ammunition vests and grenades. This looks like a highly coordinated
attack. And the death toll, as you say, has been rising. At 16, including the 14 civilians and two special forces from here in Cote d'Ivoire, at
least two foreign nationals, but I fear that might rise.
And the situation they describe is one of panic.
As the gunmen moved down the street that I'm standing on and fanned out to the beaches where people would be relaxing at this popular resort on a
Sunday afternoon here in Cote d'Ivoire, shooting mercilessly. Another eyewitness said how they saw two men just drop at some distance away and
they started running. People fanned into the hotels to seek shelter. It's pretty extraordinary, really, that
the death toll wasn't higher, but I do fear that might go up -- Becky.
ANDERSON: David McKenzie from the Ivory Coast. David, thank you.
From Florida to Ohio to Illinois and beyond, we are seeing an all out campaign blitz in the United States ahead of what is another critical Super
Tuesday. Presidential candidates making last-minute pitches to voters today. Democrat Bernie Sanders in Ohio right now. These pictures coming
to us. While rival Hillary Clinton getting ready to speak in Chicago, Illinois.
Well, the Democrats highlighted their differences at a townhall last night in Ohio, but they did share a common target: Donald Trump.
Sanders called him a pathological liar. And Clinton said he's incredibly bigoted.
Both candidates say they could take Trump down in a general election.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Take a look at virtually every national poll that has been done, take a look at the
NBC/Wall Street Journal poll of two or three day us ago. Guess what, Bernie Sanders was defeating Donald Trump by 18 points.
HILLARY CLINTON, 2016 DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am already receiving messages from leaders. I'm having foreign leaders ask if they
can endorse me to stop Donald Trump.
And I think whoever goes up against Donald Trump better be ready. And I feel I am the best prepared and ready candidate to take that on.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Clinton also said Trump is committing political arson, accusing him of fueling violence at his rallies and trafficking in hate and
fear.
Well, the tension reached a head late on Friday. You may remember when fistfights and chaos erupted between protesters and supporters at a
canceled Trump rally in Chicago.
Well, right now we are waiting for Trump to arrive at a rally in a town called Hickory, North Carolina. He'll visit two other states before the
day is over.
Well, Chris Frates -- CNN's Chris Frates is at a rally in North Carolina joining us now live.
The latest polls showing Trump support it seems only growing, particularly in the state of Florida where Marco Rubio has effectively got a last gasp
chance, hasn't he. It's his state, and if he doesn't win it he's probably out of the race.
Listen, both the Democratic candidates have said they could take Trump down. Could they?
CHRIS FRATES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, you know, we will see, Becky. I think that remains to be seen. But both Donald -- both Hillary Clinton and
Bernie Sanders taking Donald Trump very seriously. And as you point out, he is
ahead by double digits in Florida. And he had an event scheduled for later today in Florida. He canceled that event and instead is going to Ohio because
that's really of the five states that are up for grabs tomorrow, Ohio is the closest for Donald
Trump. He's getting a really tough challenge from Ohio Governor John Kasich. And depending on what poll you look at, Kasich is up, or Trump is
up, but it's always very, very close.
So, Donald Trump going to Ohio to try to seal a victory there, because remember both Ohio and Florida winner take all states. So 99 delegates up
for grabs in Florida, 66 in Ohio. If Donald Trump can grab both of those states, it's going to be very hard to stop him.
But the establishment is doubling down in Ohio. Mitt Romney is going to be campaigning with John Kasich in two stops in the Buckeye State today. And
John Boehner, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives coming out this weekend to endorse John Kasich.
So the GOP establishment trying to stop the Trump train in Ohio by getting behind John Kasich.
Marco Rubio, on the other hand, double digits behind. He needs to win that state to stay a viable candidate. But at this point, Donald Trump feeling
comfortable enough, Becky, that he's going to Ohio instead of Florida.
ANDERSON: Listen, Chris, Paul Krugman writing in the New York Times today says, and I quote, Donald Trump is not an accident, his party had it
coming. And he goes on to say that the Republican Party has spent decades encouraging and exploiting the very rage that is now carrying Mr. Trump to
the nomination.
Can you explain exactly what's behind those comments?
FRATES: That's a pretty common feeling among many Republicans in Washington when you talk to them privately. And, you know, you see this if
you go back and look at how Donald Trump started to take and make his name in the political
arena, it was the birther issue. He was insisting that President Barack Obama was not born in United States, that he was born in Kenya, despite
having a birth certificate in Hawaii. He fueled that controversy and many on the right, whether it was talk radio or some of the right wing media
embraced that.
And the wink and the nod from the Republican establishment was, you know what, it's a bit of a side show, but it certainly helps our cause and gets
our base revved up.
What they did not expect was that base to end up abandoning the GOP establishment and siding with Donald Trump. And, you know, Donald Trump
has continued to try to ingratiate himself with those conservative groups, whether it's
CPAC, or the American Conservative Union, and that has built him the platform, Becky, that he is now enjoying. He's going to be interviewed in
a few minutes by former Governor Chris Christie. There's as establishment as you get, Becky.
ANDERSON: Very briefly, Max Booth, the historian has called Donald Trump America's number one security threat. Is he?
FRATES: Well, you know, I can't speak to that. You know, certainly as a reporter, a lot of people are questioning the rhetoric coming out of Donald
Trump here. And you heard Hillary Clinton try to make hay of that saying that foreign leaders are calling her and saying can we endorse you, can we
get behind you. We need to stop Donald Trump.
But certainly his supporters feel like he is the tough sheriff that this country needs and that he is going to bring order and peace back to the
United States and the world, Becky.
ANDERSON: Chris Frates, reporting for you out of North Carolina this evening. Thank you.
Big day coming up, Super Tuesday 3.0 I guess is what we should call it.
Stay with CNN for complete coverage critical primaries with Winner take all delegate prizes that could alter the course of the campaign trail. That is
all day Tuesday right here on CNN.
And wherever you're watching, it matters to you and me, whether you're living in the states or not. This is the big election.
As the candidates race to get into to the White House, what can they learn from someone who has already managed a winning campaign? Well, I took a
ride with the man who ran Barack Obama's first presidential bid. For his take, the full interview is up next.
And they have those kids to jump and sing and many MORE fans Across the world. I'm going to get you a look at what is the remarkable story of
Leicester City Football Club.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:42:38] ANDERSON: Right, well there have been two Super Tuesdays so far this U.S. election season. But tomorrow is set up to be the biggest and
potentially most decisive Tuesday of all, and with good reason.
Front runners Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are looking to surge way ahead
in the Republican and Democratic presidential races. Now, huge number of delegates from big, important states like Ohio and Florida are up for
grabs. Wins by Clinton could all but seal the Democratic nomination for her. It would mark a complete turn around from 2008.
This is her concession speech back then when she threw in the towel against President Barack Obama. He was sworn in the following January after
defeating John McCain in the January election.
Well, the mastermind behind Mr. Obama's campaign was David Plouffe. I went to find out his thoughts on this year's race. And frankly, well I got
there in style.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: I have a great interview opportunity that's just come up in Dubai. I'm not going to make it if I drive, but thankfully here we have
the Uber chopper service. That's how I'm going to do it.
DAVID PLOUFFE, FRM. OBAMA CAMPAIGN MANAGER: Hello, Becky.
ANDERSON: Hello.
PLOUFFE: Good to see you.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: All right, we're going to take a very short break. I'm going to see if we can get the audio back for you on that piece -- do we have it?
No, we don't. Let's take a very short break. Back after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[11:46:09] ANDERSON: It's a quarter to 8:00 in the evening here in the UAE. You're watching CNN. This is Connect the World with me Becky
Anderson. Welcome back.
We're going to move on.
Going into Monday night's fixture against Newcastle, Leicester City atop of the English Premier League. Not just that, they are two points clear going
into that game. And it's not September, it's March. It's a football fairy tale story that could have a happy ending when the next season ends in May
and that's not just for those who are Foxes fans.
For more on this, let's go to CNN World Sport's Amanda Davies who is in Leicester.
This is real boy's own stuff, Amanda, by which I mean a display of heroic courage from a team that wherever we are from and whoever we might support
this season, it seems everyone has a soft spot for Leicester. Why is that?
AMANDA DAVIES, CNN WORLD SPORT: Absolutely, Becky. And bluntly it's because everybody loves an underdog, don't they? This certainly isn't a
Leicester City team full of superstars, it's a team that basically that the collective value is much greater than the value as individuals. They are
really pulling together as a team.
And to put it into context, this is a side that were favorites in terms of the book makers for relegation this season. This time last year they were
absolutly fighting for their Premier League lives. They survived. And their odds to win at the Premier League title at the start of this season
were 5,000 to 1, that is the same odds as Elvis being found alive.
All season we have been waiting for them to slip up. People are saying it's going to come. It's going to come. Well, here we are nine games left
to go and they are two points clear of the rest and the fans here in Leicester are really starting to believe.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIES: There's a lot of people who have struggled to place Leicester City on a map of England. But they are now quite literally causing shock waves
being measured on the Richter Scale here at this primary school near their
grounds.
UNIDENIFIED FEMALE: We had a call from Leicester University. They were investigating whether or not the noise and the vibrations that the football
crowd make, whether that was going to be able to make a readable scale on the seismograph.
DAVIES: So, this is the reading that's been getting so much attention.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Absolutely, yes. This represents Ulloa's goal in the 89th minute against Norwich, meaning that Leicester City won the match and
that actually measured 0.3 on the Richter scale, which is the size of a small earthquake.
DAVIES; And with young fans like this, you can see why the playground is rocking and Leicester's rivals are quaking.
Who do you aspire to be, which player do you try an be?
BOY: Jamie Vardy and Ryan Morris.
DAVIES: And why are they so good?
BOY: Because they work as a team.
DAVIES: Do you like Claudio Ranieri?
GIRL: Definitely.
DAVIES: 12 months ago, Leicester City were fighting for their Premier League survival. This year their unexpected title tilt means it's the
bookmakers digging deep.
LIAM FINCH, STORE MANAGER: There are still 25 people that took 5,000 to 1 at the start of the season anti-post and none of them have decided to cash
out yet. So they want to ride their luck until the end of the season possibly.
DAVIES: Are you one of those lucky ones? Have you got that secret betting clip somewhere?
FINCH: Unfortunately not, no.
DAVIES: There's been a real shift in sporting prowess here, a city that's traditionally been a rugby union heartland as home of the ten-time English
champions Leicester Tigers.
Do you not feel that maybe your status as Leicester's most successful sporting institution might be threatened a little bit here?
[11:50:10] SIMON COHEN, CEO, LEICESTER TIGERS: I think they have got a few trophies to win yet. But, no, I don't actually. I think the whole of
sport Leicester is enhanced by everybody's success, not just the football.
DAVIES: As things stand, Leicester has its place in history housing the tomb of King Richard III.
And the first ever Premier League title would put the team based here at the King Power Stadium firmly in the ranks of footballing royalty.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
DAVIES: Manager Claudio Ranieri has been a master this season of playing it
down very much understated. He said the fans can dream, but we the team have to work.
They are hoping that they will extend their lead at the top of the table back to 5 points later on Monday. They play Newcastle, relegation
strugglers Newcastle, at the stadium behind me here, but Newcastle might not be as easy a task as they had maybe expected because it's the first
game for Newcastle with their new manager, Rafa Benitez and they of course are looking to try to turn things
around and do exactly what Leicester did at this point last season and produce some Premier League survival skills, Becky.
ANDERSON: Amanda, very briefly, what do you think the game of football can learn from Leicester's performance this season?
DAVIES: Well, I think football has been criticized so much so recently hasn't it, Becky, for the super stars, of people getting criticized for
people getting criticized for getting maybe above their station, for not that realizing the power that they have on fans and the younger generation.
And this, Leicester story, really is a story of a team of players who were written off in so many circles, (inaudible) for being too small. He's got
twiglet (ph) legs, people say. Jamie Vardy for not making the grade at Sheffield Wednesday. He was no non-league player just until a couple of
years ago.
These players have all very much come together. They are fighting for the cause.
Yes, it's maybe not quite the Cinderella story that people are saying and that there is the Thai-owned Asian football investment group, which brought
in to Leicester City in 2010. They have definitely given them the financial backing.
But they haven't spent big at all up to this point. And really the challenge for Leicester, what happens now, will be keeping hold of these
players who are becoming stars.
There's the likes of (inaudilbe) talking about a move to Spain, but really they are showing that pulling together they can take on the big boys. As
maybe not been the level of entitlement here that some of the other clubs have grown used to in the recent years. And so far it's paying off.
ANDERSON: Amanda, thank you.
In tonight's Parting Shots, we're going to take a captivating town hall discussion and extract the very best moments. Hillary Clinton and Bernie
Sanders fielded some candid questions ranging from Donald Trump to U.S. race relations. There was also a very emotional one on the death penalty
from a man who was nearly executed. Have a look at this.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SANDERS: Donald Trump is a pathological liar.
CLINTON: He is trafficking in hate and fear.
SANDERS: Donald Trump is literally inciting violence.
CLINTON: He actually incites violence.
SANDERS: The way you beat Trump is to expose him.
CLINTON: I'm the only candidate who has gotten more votes than Trump.
One in three African-American men, if the trends that we see today continue, will spend some time in jail or prison. That is absolutely
unacceptable.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: As president what would you do to create a zero tolerance policy for unjust police killings?
SANDERS: Any police officer who breaks the law like any other public official must be held accountable, period.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I came close to my own execution. I would like to know how can you still take your stance on the death penalty.
CLINTON: The kind of crimes I'm thinking of are the bombing in Oklahoma City. The plotters and the people who carried out the attacks on 9/11.
JAKE TAPPER, CNN CORERSPONDENT: Who is the person that is closest to you with whom you disagree the most?
SANDERS: A fellow named Jim Inhofe from Oklahoma. And Jim is a climate change denier. He is really, really conservative. But you know what, he
is a decent guy, and I like him. And he and I are friends.
CLINTON: I watched my husband campaign. I watch President Obama campaign. It is poetry. I mean, it is just -- I get carried away and I have seen
them a million times, you know. That's not necessarily my forte.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Hillary Clinton rounding up what was a quick look at the debate last night. And a reminder stay with CNN for complete coverage of
Tuesday's critical primaries then with winner take all delegate prizes that could alter the course of the campaign trail. That is all day Tuesday here
on CNN. No excuses for that.
No matter where you are in the world if you're talking about the U.S. elections with your friends and family, I would be fascinated to hear your
thoughts. So, do share those with the rest of us by going to our Facebook page, Facebook.com/CNNConnect.
Myself and my team always read what you say. And you can get in touch with me directly on Twitter @BeckyCNN, that is @BeckyCNN.
That is it from us for this evening. CNN, though, does continue. I'm Becky Anderson. That was Connect the World. Thank you.
END
