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Erin Burnett Outfront
Scott Family Releases Video of Deadly Police Shooting; Clinton to Travel to Charlotte, Trump Considering a Visit; Mayor Prefers Trump, Clinton Delay Trips to Charlotte; Sen. Ted Cruz Endorses Trump for President; Protests Spread to Atlanta After Deadly Police Shootings. Aired 7-8p ET
Aired September 23, 2016 - 19:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[19:00:10] ERIN BURNETT, CNN ANCHOR: OUTFRONT next. Breaking news. Video of the deadly Charlotte police shooting released by the victim's family. What does it show? We'll talk to the Charlotte's Mayor Jennifer Roberts.
Plus, did Keith Lamont Scott had a gun in his hands when police shot him? We're going to breakdown the video with our experts.
And Anthony Bourdain on slurping soup with President Obama and why the Secret Service is so mad.
Let's go OUTFRONT.
Good evening, I'm Erin Burnett. OUTFRONT tonight, we begin with breaking news. The video. Tonight, the video of the standoff between Charlotte police and the shooting victim Keith Lamont Scott released to the public. The disturbing images raising new questions as pressure is mounting on police to prove that Scott was holding a gun when he was fatally shot. Tonight a source close to the investigation tells CNN that the gun recovered at the scene was loaded and had fingerprints, blood and DNA that matched up with Scott's.
Now, we want to show you some of the key moments from that video and we're going to be going through the state frame by frame with our experts this coming hour. This video was filmed by Scott's wife and released by the Scott family. I want to warn you. It is graphic and disturbing to see this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAKEYIA SCOTT, WIFE OF KEITH LAMONT SCOTT: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He has no weapon. He has no weapon. Keith, Keith, don't you do it.
(GUNSHOTS)
Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him? He better not be (bleep) dead. He better not be (bleep) dead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: Chilling. Well, authorities still not released body and dash cam video of the shooting. Today, Charlotte's Mayor issued a statement calling for the video to be released as quickly as possible. Mayor Jennifer Roberts will be joining me in just a few moments.
But I want to begin with Ed Lavandera who is in front in Charlotte tonight. And Ed, a curfew in place again tonight. What are police expecting?
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are bracing for more protests and worry that the protests could turn violent against since this video has been released. But as we begin to look at that video, it is really the first glimpse of how all of this went down. But you don't actually see the shooting. But it definitely offers more clues into what happened.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Keith, Keith, don't you do it.
LAVANDERA (voice-over): The gunshots erupt less than a minute into this video recorded by the wife of Keith Lamont Scott. It's the first glimpse of the deadly confrontation. In the moments leading up to the shooting, you can hear officers yelling at Scott to put his gun down. But his wife screams that he's unarmed.
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He has no weapon. He has no weapon. Don't shoot him.
(YELLING IN BACKGROUND)
Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He didn't do anything.
LAVANDERA: Scott's family says, the 43-year-old was in a near death motorcycle crash last year that left him disabled. In the video you can hear his wife allude to a traumatic brain injury.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun. Drop the gun.
RAKEYIA SCOTT: He doesn't have a gun. He has a TBI. He's not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun.
LAVANDERA: There are only a few brief moments where you can see Scott out of his car. But you can't see if he's holding a hand gun.
At the shooting scene today, spray print markings left by investigators can still be seen on the ground. And a memorial to Scott is slowly growing.
(on camera): At the beginning of the video it appears that Keith Scott is here in his car. He has a number of officers flanked out in front of him. But as the video rolls, it doesn't actually show the shooting of Keith Scott. But you hear his wife say repeatedly, don't do it, don't do it. And then you hear the bursts of gunfire. The camera then rolls back around the car and Keith Scott's body ends up here about 20 feet away from where he started much closer to the officers.
(voice-over): A source close to the investigation tells CNN the gun police recovered from the scene was loaded. And that investigators have found Scott's fingerprints, blood and DNA on the weapon.
SCOTT: He better live. He better live. You all hear this and you see this right? He better live.
(CROWD CHANTING "RELEASE THE VIDEO," "RELEASE THE VIDEO")
LAVANDERA: The calls for police to release dash cam and body cam footage is intensifying. But Charlotte's police chief says, it is now up to the state Bureau of Investigation to decide if the video will be released.
CHIEF KERR PUTNEY, CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG POLICE: I ask for your continued patience as the state Bureau of Investigations conducts their thorough investigation. Because it is going to take them some time to piece together everything that has happened.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA: And as we've mentioned the calls for the release of that body cam and dash cam footage have intensified today. The Attorney General making a plea for here in North Carolina for the video to be released as well as Hillary Clinton who will be visiting Charlotte, North Carolina this weekend is also calling for the video to be immediately released -- Erin.
[19:05:13] BURNETT: All right. Thank you very much, Ed. I appreciate it.
And OUTFRONT now, the Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts. And Mayor, thank you very much for taking the time to be with us during this stress and feel tumultuous time. I just want to ask you the basic question. Have you seen all of the police videos from the dash cam, from the body cams and the video taken by Mr. Scott's wife at this point?
MAYOR JENNIFER ROBERTS (D), CHARLOTTE: Yes, well, I've seen -- there are two videos that I've seen. The police have. One is a dash video and one is a body camera.
BURNETT: All right. You have seen those. And have you seen Mr. Scott's wife's cell phone footage?
ROBERTS: Yes, I saw that briefly as well.
BURNETT: So from the videos that you have seen, I guess that the police video specifically from the dash cam and from the body cam. Were you able to see whether there was a gun or not? Whether Mr. Scott had a gun or was that impossible to tell from what you saw?
ROBERTS: As I have said before, it is inconclusive. I think all three videos have obscured or blurred or it is not precise enough view of what was actually going on. And so it remains inconclusive in my opinion.
BURNETT: Inconclusive. But I guess the other question is, if he wasn't holding a gun, did you see a gun on the ground or was it impossible to even tell that from what you saw?
ROBERTS: The weapon in question was a small weapon and it looked like there was something on the ground. To be honest it wasn't clear enough to completely distinguish that.
BURNETT: So, in terms of one last thing about the video. Obviously, in the picture taken in the immediate aftermath which sources say, there is a gun in this picture. And I'm just going to show it to our viewers. That is still I believe of one of the videos you have seen. Everyone, we've circled the gun there on the ground. That is one picture. And then of course Mayor as you know, the video filmed by Mr. Scott's wife, there doesn't appear to be a gun in the location. At least we don't see one in this video. In the discussions you have had with police. Have they discussed with you in anyway how the gun got there?
ROBERTS: Well, this is the reason that we want to have the investigation completed as soon as possible. And I have asked the FBI and State Bureau of Investigation to gather all the information and release it as soon as possible. People are waiting to hear that. There are many pieces that needed to be put together like a complete picture because the videos clearly do not make a complete picture. And I think we can't draw any conclusions from them. That leads to the uncertainty. And so I am urging our FBI to conclude that investigation and release the information as soon as possible.
BURNETT: And Mayor Roberts, I know you have said you want the videos to be released from the police. Those body cam videos, the dash cam video. But you have also said for the integrity of the investigation that we need to wait because you don't want to impact witness recollections. Once you start seeing people watch the video or hear it discussed on television. But now that the family has put its video out there. Is it more important for the police to just go ahead and release their videos, to paint the fullest possible picture instead of waiting anymore?
ROBERTS: Well, I think also again the State Bureau of Investigation has taken this over. I believe they have had time to interview those witnesses. And I do think it would help in terms of transparency to release that footage.
BURNETT: Let me just ask you. Hillary Clinton of course announced late today. I know you support her Mayor. You have endorsed her. She announced she is going to be coming to Charlotte on Sunday. You of course have an NFL football game on Sunday. You have police dealing with ongoing protests. Should she be coming to Charlotte so soon?
ROBERTS: Well, and I've also heard that Trump might also be coming later in the week to Charlotte.
BURNETT: Yes. ROBERTS: And what I want to say is that we appreciate the support of
candidates, we appreciate that they are concerned about Charlotte. At this point we do have very stressed resources for security. And they are working round the clock. If there would be a way to delay those visits in terms of giving us a chance to get our city, you know, back to order and back to more of a state of normalcy, that would probably be ideal.
BURNETT: So the bottom line is you would hope Hillary Clinton would come not on Sunday but a later date.
ROBERTS: As I say, I think both candidates are making plans. And if possible, I would encourage them to come at a later date. We really appreciate their support. We appreciate the nation's support. Our hearts are heavy here today with what's going on. And again, we hope that they could figure out a way to come a little bit later.
BURNETT: All right. Mayor, thank you very much. We appreciate your time tonight.
And OUTFRONT next, a closer look at the key moments from the new video of the confrontation between Keith Lamont Scott and police. Was he holding a gun?
And Donald Trump endorsed by one of his most bitter rivals. How much will it help him?
And then President Obama and Anthony Bourdain on slurping soup in Vietnam.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANTHONY BOURDAIN, CNN HOST, "PARTS UNKNOWN": Is it appropriate to just pop one of these whole suckers in your mouth or do you think you should be a little more --
PRES. BARACK OBAMA (D), UNITED STATES: Well slurping is totally acceptable in this part of the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:14:01] BURNETT: The following breaking news. The first video of the fatal shooting by police in Charlotte released. The video recorded by the victim Keith Lamont Scott's wife. And now, police have said there are no immediate plans to release the dash or body cam footage which has sparked footage across that city. I want to play the video captured by Scott's wife unedited so you can see it for yourself from start to finish.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He has that weapon. He has no weapon. Don't shoot him.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Gun! Gun! Drop the gun! Drop the fucking gun!
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Don't shoot him. Don't shoot him. He didn't do anything.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun! Drop the gun!
RAKEYIA SCOTT: He doesn't have a gun. He has a TBI. He's not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Let me get the (INAUDIBLE) baton over here.
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Keith, don't let them break the windows. Come on out the car.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun.
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Keith. Don't do it.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun!
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Keith, get out the car. Keith! Keith, don't you do it. Don't you do it. Keith, Keith. Don't you do it.
(GUNSHOTS)
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him? Did you shoot him?
He better not be dead. He better not be fucking dead, I know that much. I know that much he better not be dead.
I'm not going to come near you, I'm going to record though. I'm not coming near you, I'm going to record though. He better be alive cause, he better be alive, how about that?
(ON THE PHONE WITH 911)
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Yes, we're over here at 9453 Lexington Court. These are the police officers who shot my husband, and he better live. He better live because he didn't do nothing to them.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Is everybody good, are you good?
RAKEYIA SCOTT: Ain't nobody touch anybody, so they all good.
I know he better live. I know he better live. How about that I'm not coming to you guys, but he better live.
He better live, you hear this and you see this, right? He better live. He better live.
I swear he better live. Yap. He better live, he better live. He better live. Where is -- he better live and I can't believe. I ain't going nowhere. I'm in the same damn spot, the --
That's OK, did you all call the police? I mean, did you all call the ambulance?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: OUTFRONT now, Paul Callan, our legal analyst. Paul Martin, criminal defense attorney and Darrin Porcher who was hired NYPD lieutenant.
I want to go through a couple of key sequences here in the video. Paul Martin, let me start with you. One second before Scott is shot, we see him standing. OK? So this is one second before he is shot. This is still now we've created. What does this say to you?
PAUL MARTIN, CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY: It says to me that his hands are down. His hands aren't pointed in any direction. And instantaneously after this next -- this slide -- the gunfire goes off. They are going to have to say that they thought he was a threat. But from that one second slide, you can see that he's not doing anything threatening.
BURNETT: Darrin?
DARRIN PORCHER, FORMER NYPD LIEUTENANT: It isn't appear -- it is really difficult for me to assess if this individual was a threat at this point. But what I did see --
BURNETT: We don't know a hundred percent what side the police are on. This is the video from his wife. From behind. So --
PORCHER: But what we have here is a tactical nightmare. The officers failed to create a zone of safety. What they should have done is used the police cars as cover and concealment. It would have given more time to access the situation and talk this person down if possible. They asked this person to drop his gun, ten to eleven times. However if you have that cover and concealment, it would have given you more time to buy as opposed to taking this man's life.
BURNETT: So, you think they could have bought more time but you don't necessarily agree that he wasn't in the front.
PORCHER: Poor tactics.
BURNETT: So, let me just play, Paul Callan. The officers yelling got to drop the gun. As Darrin just mentioned, they said it again and again and again. Let me replay that.
PORCHER: Eleven times.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun! Drop the gun!
RAKEYIA SCOTT: He doesn't have a gun. He has TBI. He's not going to do anything to you guys. He just took his medicine.
UNIDENTIFIED OFFICER: Drop the gun!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: You hear his wife again and again saying, he doesn't have a gun. He has a TBI, which means traumatic brain injury. What does that say?
PAUL CALLAN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: Well, what it says is that from the police standpoint they are viewing somebody who has a traumatic brain injury. They know what a TBI is who hasn't or just recently took his medication and they're saying, drop the gun. So that increases the level of threat if in fact he has a gun. And just to fast forward this whole case.
BURNETT: Yes.
CALLAN: We've only got this little piece of cell phone video now. We haven't seen this dash cam video --
BURNETT: Right.
CALLAN: And how many other video.
BURNETT: We've seen one perspective from one side. We have not seen the --
CALLAN: The other video is going to clear up an awful lot of information. But in the end if there is a gun on the ground, a dropped gun that has his DNA and his blood on it. Unless there is definitive proof that the cops dropped that gun, the cops are going to be cleared in this incident. It is all about the gun and what can be proved in about a drop gun.
[19:19:16] BURNETT: So, Paul, let me, I see about the jump in. Let me just say that so far police are saying that the gun they found had his DNA, blood and fingerprints on it.
MARTIN: What I like about this video as far as evidence is concerned, you do not see a gun in the area where the gun is found later in the picture. So how did the gun get there? And the fact -- it's a dropped gun. Clearly the DNA and hair, whatever, things that they found on it, can be planted by just putting it in the hand of the deceased.
(TALKING OVER EACH OTHER)
PORCHER: As a lieutenant in the Internal Affairs Bureau, I've investigated numerous police shootings. And when you have that many people in a public place, that many officers involved it is highly unlikely you have a firearm at this point that is going to be planted. It is unrealistic.
MARTIN: It's may be highly unlikely but don't say it is not possible.
PORCHER: I'm not saying it is impossible but it is highly unlikely.
BURNETT: So, on that point though Paul, let me ask you, because we know -- we haven't seen him, right? But we know there are at least two body cams and there's dash cam video and then you have this video that she shot. Wouldn't one of those videos end up showing a gun being planted?
MARTIN: Well, you would think that the video would show the gun being there on the street. If you look at the video you can see clearly there is no gun in that position. So how did the gun get there?
(CROSSTALK)
MARTIN: Excuse me, one more second --
CALLAN: -- drop a gun at the scene when there is a dash cam video going. When there is the wife of the victim --
MARTIN: In broad daylight.
CALLAN: -- gun. I mean --
MARTIN: The gun is not there.
BURNETT: Let's show it. We have this -- so we can show everybody. Not in one picture. This is a still, a police source confirms there on the left they say that is the gun on the right and you can see there is no gun there. That is what we're talking about. That is what you are talking about.
MARTIN: Exactly. There is no gun there. Someone put it there.
(TALKING OVER EACH OTHER)
PORCHER: Frame by frame, it is clear. The officers are giving commands, drop the gun. You hear 11 to 12 times. You hear this coming from several officers on the scene. So, it sounds consistent that this person did have a gun.
MARTIN: No!
PORCHER: Paul, Paul!
MARTIN: Wait, wait, wait! Be a realist.
PORCHER: You are not the defense attorney for these people.
MARTIN: Multiple police are there. But we also know from the angles of their video cameras, no one could see a gun. That was made clear. The police chief said it. The mayor said it. Right?
BURNETT: Yes. Now she'd seen the dash cam video.
MARTIN: The dash cam video.
BURNETT: Body cam video. I don't know that we've heard anything specific but you would expect we would have --
MARTIN: One thing the videos have shown that it was inconclusive whether he had a gun or not. (CROSSTALK)
PORCHER: And further --
MARTIN: Excuse me! Excuse me! The other witnesses said, the gentlemen had a book. Not a gun.
PORCHER: That's a biased witness. That is the wife.
MARTIN: What do you think the police officer that put a bullet in him is? You don't think he's a biased witness?
PORCHER: For them to introduce a gun that was planted is highly unlikely.
BURNETT: Hold on. Let Darrin finish.
MARTIN: We have video that doesn't show a gun and then -- from somewhere if there is one.
PORCHER: Paul, to -- on what you're saying is, what we do have here is, the wife is controlling the narrative because her video has been introduced to the public. Whereas the Police Department has a more comprehensive video that they have failed to put out here.
CALLAN: What we have here is an incomplete investigation. We don't have access to all of the evidence and it's totally unfair of us to the victim and to the police as well to be leaping to conclusions on the basis of a partial piece of the evidence that is going to be available to a grand jury someday. And I think it is wrong for both sides. I think we should wait until this evidence comes in and be able to evaluate it all and if this cop killed this man unjustifiably, indict him. But let's not smear people before we have all the facts.
BURNETT: All right. Let's leave it there.
PORCHER: We are making an assessment based on what we have. That's why we're here today. And I think this course is necessary moving forward.
BURNETT: All right. Thank you all. And next, the breaking news, Hillary Clinton announcing she's going to Charlotte. Will Trump follow?
And will this Donald Trump show up at the first presidential debate?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: -- but it's not working. First of all this guy is a choke artist and this guy is a liar.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:27:45] BURNETT: Breaking news. Charlotte on edge. Hours after Keith Lamont Scott's family released video of his deadly confrontation with police. The shooting and protests now front and center in the presidential race. CNN confirming Hillary Clinton will visit Charlotte on Sunday. Trump also considering a trip but just moments ago on this program the mayor of Charlotte told me that both candidates should delay their trips, she says, the city has limited resources. Resources are stretch.
Joe Johns is covering the Clinton campaign and he is OUTFRONT tonight. And Joe, what more is the Clinton campaign saying?
JOE JOHNS, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Erin, we are told Hillary Clinton is planning a trip to Charlotte but the details are still being worked out and with the amount of attention she has given to police/community relations, the use of deadly force, this trip is no surprise now that Charlotte and Tulsa have put this issue back on the front page. The former secretary of state also weighed in with a tweet today that said Charlotte should release police video of the Keith Lamont Scott shooting without delay adding that, quote, "We must ensure justice and work to bridge divides."
The video that's been released so far has come from Scott family but the Police Department has other video of the shooting. The pressure is on to release that as well. The city saying that it is up to the State Bureau of Investigation on whether to release or not. Donald Trump has also indicated he's traveling or considering traveling to Charlotte. But his campaign says they are looking into the logistics of such a trip after the upcoming presidential debate. Trump has used unrest in Charlotte to talk about the need to restore law and order. Talking about crime and violence. Calling it an attack on the poor saying people who will suffer the most are law-abiding African- American residents -- Erin.
BURNETT: All right. Joe, thank you very much.
And OUTFRONT now, the executive director of the New York State Democratic Party, Basil Smikle, a Hillary Clinton supporter. And Paris Dennard, member of the National Diversity Coalition for Donald Trump.
Basil, you're here with me. Let me just start with the news we have right now. The mayor of Charlotte is saying, please don't come so soon. Delay your visit. She's welcome but delay your visits. Resources are too stretched. Hillary Clinton had indicated she might come on Sunday. Donald Trump after the debate. Should they go ahead and delay those visits?
BASIL SMIKLE, EXEC. DIRECTOR, NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY: Well, I think they should do what the, you know, respect the mayor. We kind of heard the conversation a bit with that -- very different circumstances.
[19:30:03] BURNET: Right.
SMIKLE: But we heard this conversation about how resourcing can be stretched thin. And I think both candidates should respect, you know, whatever the mayor is suggesting. I do think however that, you know, one of the reasons that I think Hillary Clinton would really want to go is because she's been supported by groups like Mothers of the Movement, who have children who've been victimized either by police shootings or gun violence broadly.
So, I think that might be one of the -- an impetus for her to go and go so soon because it's not just about -- you know, it's not a photo- op. It's also about healing and, you know, she just talked about how as president she would engage police/community relations. So, I think there is more substance.
BURNETT: Paris, what do you say? Listen to the mayor and go later?
PARIS DENNARD, TRUMP NATIONAL DIVERSITY COALITION MEMBER: I do believe that we should -- all the political campaigns should take a moment and pause and think, should we really be making this about politics or should we let the local governments figure out the situation and not have a rush to judgment? And so, I think it's important that we remember that when President Bush decided not to go to Katrina originally it was for the same reason, because of resources.
When President Bush, excuse me -- when President Obama decided not to go to Baton Rouge it was because of logistics and these resources at the advice of the governor. So, I don't think either side should demonize one or the other if they don't go. But I think it's always a good thing for both candidates to be concerned, to be aware, and to listen to the people on the ground, the communities on the ground, and law enforcement, and let it run its course and figure out exactly what happened in each situation before it is easy to make political judgment calls when you don't have all the facts. We need the facts first.
BURNETT: Let me just play what Donald Trump had to say. Let me just play that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: Peddling the narrative of cops as a racist force in our society -- and this is a narrative that is supported with a nod by my opponent. You see what she's saying and it's not good -- share directly for the responsibility and the unrest that is afflicting our country and hurting those who have really the very at least.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: Basil?
SMIKLE: So, what is he blaming her for the unrest? I mean, that is sort of what it sounds like.
Look, I think if he decides to go down there, when he decides to go down to Charlotte, he's going come with his law and order message which again I think is very divisive in communities of color.
BURNETT: Yes. I mean, what's the reception going to be in Charlotte to that night?
SMIKLE: Yes, you know, look, communities of color have been talking about police brutality for a long time. One of my favorite authors, James Baldwin, had a report from occupied territory, fascinating piece about this very issue back in the sixties, and we could talk about the sixties part of that old mores (ph).
The point is that, you know, I think she would come with a message of healing and how to bridge the divide. She got a lot of support by first responders, police and firefighters here when she was a senator. I think she could bring some of that understanding to the situation, but you don't go with a law and in order message that essentially in my opinion ends up being more divisive than healing.
BURNETT: So, Paris, what do you say -- going to the streets of Charlotte right now with a law and order message, how would that be received? Is that part of the reason that Hillary Clinton was willing to go before the debate but Donald Trump wanted to wait until after because he was worried how the reception might be for him?
DENNARD: I don't think he's ever concerned to go somewhere. When he was given the invitation to go to Mexico, he went to Mexico. He went to Baton Rouge, he went to Flint. And so, he's not afraid of going to specific communities.
But we don't need to rush to judgment and make an assumption that he's going to go in with this law and order message and how it is going to be received, how it is going to be given. Mr. Trump is one who knows how to connect with people and he knows how to speak to specific community, especially communities of color. And so, I believe his message however is truthful when he talks about how for years many people in these communities have been under Democrat rule so one could say the ramifications of some of those lack of actions on policies or supporting certain policies that are not successful are remnants of what we see in terms of economic development or the lack thereof, and the poverty and the lack of hope.
So, I think that is the point and message he was making. Not necessarily that Hillary Clinton is directly responsible for what happened in Charlotte.
SMIKLE: Well, I think going back to this question about his African American outreach, you know? And you and I have argued about this quite extensively. I think it's been cumbersome as best --
(CROSSTALK)
SMIKLE: But I think what's important to note here is that -- as I said. Cumbersome at best, insulting at worst. And if he is going to go down there, what I don't want him to go down there is with this message. That we have the take the good hard-working blacks and make sure we protect them from the non-law-abiding blacks, because that's kind of where those comments are going.
[19:35:05] And that's why I'm concerned about what he is going to say should he go down there. It has to be -- and to your point, it cannot be politicized. This has to be a moment where we heal as opposed to sort of -- have rhetoric that's divisive.
BURNETT: Quick final word, Paris.
SMIKLE: There is no evidence that Mr. Trump is divisive or he's going to say anything that is divisive should he go. But it's important that we both understand that there are real issues going on in our community and that it is a good thing for both sides to be aware, listen and take heed to the message of what's going on in our communities, especially when they are in turmoil.
BURNETT: All right. Thank you both. I appreciate it.
And next breaking news, live pictures of Atlanta. Dozens are gathering for a day of protests following the shooting in Charlotte. We're going to be going there.
Plus, just three days to the first presidential debate right here on CNN. Is this what's in store?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
TRUMP: I've made billions and billions of dollars dealing with people all over the world.
HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: I was part of the very small group that had to advise the president about whether or not to go after bin Laden.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: And President Obama sat down for diner with Anthony Bourdain in Hanoi.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:40:13] BURNETT: Breaking news: Senator Cruz just announced he's voting for Donald Trump. This is Trump's, of course, most bitter rival who refused to endorse him at the Republican convention. Sources say Trump's running mate, Governor Mike Pence played a key role in getting Cruz on board. This comes just three days before the most important event of the campaign. Trump and Clinton facing off in the debate.
Dana Bash is OUTFRONT.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hillary Clinton in a debate is all about what she's done.
CLINTON: Look at what I accomplished in the Senate as secretary state.
BASH: Donald Trump, simple, sweeping promises.
TRUMP: We will make this country greater than ever before. BASH: Their primary debate performances helped each get the
nomination. But their upcoming face-off is quite different.
BRETT O'DONNELL, REPUBLICAN DEBATE COACH: He tugs with the heart. She tugs at the mind. And the question is, whether or not both of them can cross over.
BASH: Brett O'Donnell, a long time debate coach for GOP candidates, sat down with us to break down their contrasting styles.
TRUMP: I say not in a braggadocios way, I've made billions and billions of dollars dealing with people all over the world --
CLINTON: I was part of a very small group that had to advise the president about whether or not to go after bin Laden.
O'DONNELL: He talks in these big, giant terms. She doesn't tend to do that. And I think that that puts him at an advantage, you know, because it's -- he understands well the dynamic of television.
BASH: The same goes for discussions of policy.
TRUMP: I will build a wall. It will be a great wall. People will not come in unless they come in legally.
BASH: There is no need for this rhetoric and demagoguery that is still carried out on the Republican side. You run out of excuses. Let's move to comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship.
O'DONNELL: He goes for the heart, talks in very big terms, doesn't demonstrate a deep knowledge of policy. So, she's got to up her game in talking to the heart. He has to up his game in talking to the head.
BASH: And then there was the alpha candidate tactic Trump used to belittle his GOP primary opponents.
TRUMP: Rand Paul shouldn't even be on this stage.
Don't worry about it, Little Marco.
(CROSSTALK)
TRUMP: I know you're trying to build up your energy, Jeb, but it's not working.
First of all, this guy is a choke artist and this guy is a liar.
BASH: His moniker for Clinton --
TRUMP: Crooked Hillary Clinton.
BASH: -- may not go over so well.
O'DONNELL: She should explain why and not just call her a name. If he just calls her a name the entire time, I think that is going to look bad to the public.
BASH: Clinton's quicksand? Getting her back up.
(on camera): It is your Democratic opponent and many Democratic voters who want to see those transcripts. It's not about t Republican --
(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
CLINTON: You know, let's same the same standard for everybody. When everybody does it, OK. I will do it. But let's expect the same standard on tax returns.
O'DONNELL: She's very defensive. And that is a problem.
BASH: What if that Hillary Clinton shows up?
O'DONNELL: Yes, yes. If that Hillary Clinton shows up, it's going to be a long night.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BASH: Both Team Clinton and Team Trump are well aware of their candidate's weaknesses and debate prep is all about giving them tools to avoid missteps, things like Clinton's defensiveness or Trump's tendency to take insults too far. Now, whether the candidates use those tools effectively and not take each other's bait, it's going to be fascinating to watch -- Erin.
BURNETT: Oh, it will be. Thank you, Dana.
And OUTFRONT now, Monica Langley of "The Wall Street Journal".
So, Monica, you know, there's been all this secrecy about what both of the candidates are doing. But in particular Donald Trump, is he actually studying? Is he not studying? You know, what going on? Do we have reporting on this?
MONICA LANGLEY, SENIOR SPECIAL WRITER, WALL STREET JOURNAL: We do. Officially he's not doing that much preparation and his preparation is as unconventional as the candidate is. Unofficially, he is preparing. He's been on the trail a lot this week, unlike Hillary who has taken some time off.
But I do know last Sunday, he did some real preparation. For the first time, he stood at a podium for five straight hours and he did not take a break for five hours except for one five minute break when he sat down to drink a half of a Diet Coke. He did not even go to the bathroom. And during that time he had several top advisers pound him with tough questions I'm told.
BURNETT: Wow. So, he was -- you know, obviously, the criticism his people have leveled is, well, he starts to study and then he flips off and does something else and he hasn't been able to focus.
LANGLEY: Exactly. BURNETT: So, you're saying that he was able to focus.
LANGLEY: He was -- I'm told he was focused for five tough hours with a break only for a half of a Diet Coke.
Now, I did travel on his plane a couple of weeks ago. And I've noticed now, instead of the -- all the press clippings he used to love to read and his real estate holding binder. This time, he had a binder of issues and he had a whole banker box of a bunch of policy papers that his policy director would go over periodically with him.
[19:45:13] BURNETT: And what about Hillary Clinton? She's spent the time more traditionally, she's taken the time to focus, to study.
LANGLEY: Well, what I hear from Clinton advisors is that her job at the debate Monday night is to disqualify Donald Trump, pure and simple. Her job is to show that he is not prepared to be president. And she could come out pure policy wonk.
Now, the campaign says fabulous, bring it on, because no one is looking for an under secretary of all policy. They are looking for a leader to bring about change.
BURNETT: That's two different goals.
LANGLEY: Exactly.
BURNETT: All right. Monica, thank you very much, talking to both campaigns there.
And next, protests spreading to cities across the nation tonight. Live pictures of downtown Atlanta. We're going to go there live.
Plus, pork bellies and beer from the bottle. That is Anthony Bourdain and his dinner with -- oh yes. You see him. Gosh, they both look rather gray in this picture, don't they?
All right. Their amazing dinner, coming up.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:50:20] BURNETT: Breaking news outs of Atlanta tonight. You are looking at Atlanta on your screen. Protests of the police shootings in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tonight's march follows the release of cell phone video taken by Keith Lamont Scott's wife in Charlotte that shows the deadly encounter between officers and Scott, who is 43 years old.
Martin Savidge is OUTFRONT live in Atlanta. Protests under way there as we said.
And, Martin, what is the tone where you are?
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Determined and fired up. Many people are outraged of course because of the events that have happened in Charlotte and in Tulsa. But because of many other events that have happened, including they say right here in Atlanta. Several hundred people gathered in front of Civil Rights Museum, and, of course, the symbol is on purpose.
And this crowd is gong to march through the streets they say of downtown Atlanta and then end up at the King Center, symbolizing they say a link to the past of the civil rights movement. They say the police involved shootings of minorities, which is essentially the civil rights issue of the present day.
The police are determined to make sure that this crowd does not block major highways, but there is no presence of police, not at least in uniform here. Authorities say they have opened up their operation center. They are going to be clearly monitoring to make sure that the major thoroughways are not blocked. It is described as peaceful and it's supposed to be statewide -- Erin.
BURNETT: All right. Martin Savidge, thank you very much, as you could see, in Atlanta tonight.
And next, dinner with the president of the United States in Vietnam. Wait until you hear what really happened. Anthony Bourdain is next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[19:56:09] BURNETT: This weekend CNN's Emmy Award-winning series "ANTHONY BOURDAIN: PARTS UNKNOWN" returns. And in Sunday's premiere episode, Bourdain travels to the capital of Vietnam and does not disappoint, because he breaks bread with President Obama.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: All right. You're going to have to --
ANTHONY BOURDAIN, "PARTS UNKNOWN": I will walk you through it.
OBAMA: You're going to have to walk me through this?
BOURDAIN: We're gonna eat vinegar and just you drop things in the bowl. And dip and stir and get ready for the awesomeness.
OBAMA: I'm ready. Now is it appropriate to just pop the whole sucker in your mouth? Or do you think that you should be a little more?
BOURDAN: Well, slurping is totally acceptable in this part of the world.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: Anthony Bourdain is OUTFRONT.
OK, there you are in Hanoi with President Obama. How did this come about?
BOURDAIN: For about a year a very tight group of people at the production company and the White House had been talking about the possibility of sitting down for a meal. Some place -- the kind of place we usually do on the show. So, we've been looking for a convenient place and when we heard that the president was a Southeast Asia state visit, that seemed like a natural for us.
BURNETT: But this restaurant, it wasn't as if you planned this.
BOURDAIN: Oh no, I planned --
BURNETT: I mean, a tiny local restaurant, right?
BOURDAIN: I was really insistent that -- look, if we're going to do I'm not a political reporter, I'm not a journalist, for me to have a sat in a secure location at a back room at the Hilton would have been silly. I thought, look, if the president wants to play, let's go to the sort of place that I love, which is a funky, working class, typically Hanoian joint serving typical, in fact, uniquely Hanoian specialty food shop and I hope he would enjoy.
And in fact, he seemed to really enjoy.
BURNETT: So, I want to play more of that. But, first, when it came to secret service, they couldn't get in there. Not like they could taste test the food, right? I mean, this was like he had the real deal.
BOURDAIN: We pretty much gang rushed the place. The Secret Service couldn't fit in the room itself. I'm sure it was a suboptimal situation for them. They made the best of it. They were very cool. But I'm sure they would have been much happier in a different location.
BURNETT: In the banquet room at the Hilton or something like that. But you had a great conversation with him and here's a little part of it.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOURDAIN: I just wish that more Americans had passports. The extent to see how're people live seems useful at worst and incredible pleasurable and interesting at best.
OBAMA: It confirms the basic truth that people everywhere are pretty much the same. The same hope hopes and dreams.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BURNETT: What was the reaction of people? You know, keep seeing other people in the restaurant eating their food. Did they know he was there? Did they react?
BOURDAIN: Yes, after the meal ended, people, of course, were freaking out. We were very -- all of us in the crew were very -- he put us very much at ease while we were shooting. Afterwards, we were all getting the vapors.
But the real effect I hadn't anticipated was on ordinary Vietnamese, the young Vietnamese the next day. Driving around Vietnam, Hanoi on my scooter, people would recognize me from the newspaper photos.
BURNETT: By the way, that takes serious courage.
BOURDAIN: Oh it's so much fun.
BURNETT: Can I just say?
BOURDAIN: It is the only way.
(CROSSTALK)
BURNETT: -- the streets of Hanoi remains one of the most terrifying --
BOURDAIN: But people would come up to me with tears in their eyes, crying saying that I can't believe that President Obama chose to eat bun cha, you know, we would have expected, spring roll, you know, national dishes. We expected him to eat on state dinner. But to eat our food, you know, to drink a Hanoi beer really affected people powerfully in a way that I really -- hadn't never could have anticipated and he really made an impression.
BURNETT: All right. Anthony, thank you so much.
BOURDAIN: My pleasure.
BURNETT: And don't miss "PARTS UNKNOWN" Sunday night at 9:00.
Thank you so much for joining us. Have a great weekend.
"AC360" starts right now.
