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Battle to Replace Scalia Intensifying; Clinton Sanders Try to Win African-American Voters in S.C.; 4 Hospitals Hit in Syria This Week; World Food Program Ramps Up Relief in Syria; Pope's Mexico Visit Sparks Trump Criticism. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired February 16, 2016 - 13:30   ET

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


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[13:32:29] WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: At the U.S. Supreme Court today, the chair of the Justice Antonin Scalia was draped in black to commemorate his passing. His body will lie in repose at the court Friday followed by his funeral Saturday at the basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here in Washington, D.C.

Meanwhile, the battle to replace Scalia is intensifying. We may get a better idea of what President Obama's thinking when he meets with reporters about three hours from now. Republicans are vowing to block any nominee the president puts forward, but the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid, calls that quote, "partisan sabotage," saying it'll backfire on the Republicans.

Michelle Kosinski is following President Obama and joining us live.

Michelle, what do we expect to hear from the president? He's got a news conference at around 4:30 p.m. eastern?

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hi. This is perfect timing for a news conference. We haven't heard that much from the White House on the subject. He is going to take several questions. You know they're going to be about this situation. So, if he goes there, we should know a little bit more about where he is in the process. Does he have a number of nominees already on the short list? And he surely does. He's nominated two Supreme Court justices in the past. Some of those are likely to be on the list now.

What we know in the process, at this point, from the White House is that the team has started talking about laying out the process for this. They've already gotten on it. There's already been some White House reach-out to Congress, although we're told that's preliminary, it's to congressional offices, but it has been to both Democrats and Republican.

Now that said, the White House was pretty ready yesterday when they had a briefing here in California on the subject. I mean, for two days, they stayed out of the political fray surrounding the appointment. But yesterday, when we asked the question, they were ready almost with a prepared statement, blasting Republicans for what the White House sees as obstructionism in the past and the ways forward. I mean, I think the confirmation of Attorney General Loretta Lynch is a prime example of the White House seeing a record delay in her confirmation. The White House repeatedly complaining about it. Again, slamming Republicans for the delay, but in the end, she was confirmed.

And the White House has said, when you look at the Constitution, it tells us what we're supposed to do in this situation. And as the White House put it, it is ironclad. Urging Republicans in the Senate to do their duty and confirm whomever the White House puts forward.

When we asked them, though, do you think there's any chance that any nominee is going to get a shot, they didn't want to answer that question directly. But that's probably going to be one of the president's -- one of the questions the president takes today. So we'll see in a couple hours how he chooses to answer it.

[13:35:15] BLITZER: Michelle Kosinski, thanks very much. I'm sure you'll be there as well.

The president scheduled to hold his news conference later today out in California, 4:30 p.m. eastern. That's when it's scheduled to begin. He will address questions presumably over when he'll name a Supreme Court nominee. We'll have live coverage coming up here on CNN.

Just ahead, Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, they're trying to shore up support among African-American voters. How crucial is the black vote in South Carolina? Can Bernie Sanders make inroads against Hillary Clinton? We're live from the campaign trail. That's next.

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[13:40:09] BLITZER: Democrats in the presidential race are trying to shore up support from African-American supporters. This morning, Hillary Clinton met with civil rights leaders in Harlem, including the National Urban League president Marc Morial. Bernie Sanders, by the way, last week met with Reverend Al Sharpton in Harlem. Sanders has been -- both of them have been trying to win over African-American support in South Carolina.

For more on what both campaigns are doing right now, let's go to our CNN senior Washington correspondent, Jeff Zeleny. Jeff is joining us from Charleston in South Carolina.

This is an important vote, the African-American vote. More than 50 percent of the primary voters back in 2008 were African-Americans.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: It sure is, Wolf, 55 percent back in 2008. Of course, that was the last competitive Democratic presidential primary here. And the number is about the same, party leaders believe. It may even be slightly higher.

And the reason it's so important here, I mean, this is a state where a black leadership is very important, and both sides are trying to reach out to them. It's the first big test of the diversity of this Democratic Party's electorate. We've had Iowa, New Hampshire, of course, not very diverse at all. South Carolina will be a key test for Hillary Clinton to see if she's as strong as she thinks she is. And if Bernie Sanders, you know, is able to appeal to a broader coalition of voters -- Wolf?

BLITZER: As you know, Bernie Sanders was introduced at a town hall today by Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner, who died after police put him in a choke hold, as you remember. So the significance of this for the Sanders campaign is what?

ZELENY: Wolf, I think it is significant. Any time anyone has a story like that and is endorsing you and campaigning on your behalf, it's certainly helpful. The reality is, Senator Sanders is former unknown here than his rival. The Clintons has been campaigning here for so long, they are a well-known in the black community. But having someone like this introduce you is very helpful.

And there's also a very powerful ad that is up that she has made explaining her support for Bernie Sanders.

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SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (I), VERMONT & DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN: When a police officer breaks the law, that officer must be held accountable.

(CHEERING)

ERICA GARNER, DAUGHTER OF ERIC GARNER: He's not scared to go up against the criminal justice system. He's not scared.

SANDERS: I want to see an America where when young, black men walk down the street, they will not be harassed by police officers, they will not be killed, they will not be shot.

GARNER: And that's why I'm for Bernie.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZELENY: So that, of course, is just one ad that is playing here, a campaign video, but it is an effort by the Sanders campaign to try and show that, you know, he does have racial issues in mind and is concerned about injustice. And of course, his prescription for this is rooted in income and equality. That's what we'll hear him talk about here in Charleston -- Wolf?

BLITZER: Jeff, we'll stand by for that. Jeff Zeleny in South Carolina. Coming up, more news we're following. Under the Geneva Conventions,

it's a place of refuge but, in Syria, four hospitals were hit by air strikes this week alone. And now world powers are trading accusations about who was responsible for an act that's being called a war crime.

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[13:47:30] BLITZER: Russia is denying accusations it attacked hospitals in Syria, an act that's been called a war crime.

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(EXPLOSIONS)

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BLITZER: At least 46 people were killed when missiles struck four hospitals and school on Monday. Turkey, among others, is accusing Russia of the tragedy. The U.N. has said intentionally directing attacks at medical units constitutes a war crime. Just last week, world powers agreed to a truce, a pause in the fighting, and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.

We are joined now by Fred Pleitgen, live from Damascus.

Fred, how are aides facing the challenge? Are food and supplies reaching those in need?

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, at this point, they're not, Wolf. One of the things that's clear is no matter how brutal a war, one thing should never be used as a weapon, and that is denial of food and medicine. That's what the U.N. says is happening here in this country. It accuses the Syrian government, many rebel factions and, first and foremost also ISIS, of using food as a weapon and denying it to places under siege.

Well, the United Nations now believes that it has a deal in place that could get aid to at least seven areas that are currently under siege. They're already gearing up for a massive relief operation, to start very quickly. Here's how they're doing it.

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FRED PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): These images shocked the world, people starving in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. Aide groups say dozens have succumb to hunger in the winter months.

UNIDENTIFIED MADAYA AIDE WORKER: This child is ill. He gets sick in his stomach his. Stomach is hurting. He needs to go to hospital outside.

PLEITGEN: World powers have started an urgent push to get aide to those most in need.

At this U.N. distribution center outside Damascus, the World Food Program is gearing up to escalate its relief effort.

Hussain al Saleh shows me the facility.

HUSSAIN AL SALEH, AIDE WORKER, WORLD FOOD PROGRAM: We get them in larger quantities and we package it into small, individual portions. Each portion is enough to feed five people for one month.

[13:49:55] PLEITGEN: But while the World Food Program is working to get the aid ready, many of the warring parties in Syria are not allowing relief goods to be delivered. The U.N. has accused the Syrian government, many rebel groups, and ISIS, of using the denial of food and medicine as a weapon.

(on camera): The World Food Program says it could get to places quickly if allowed.

(voice-over): Workers are stacking boxes into trucks.

(on camera): Once this vehicle is filled, the folks are going to seal it, which makes it easier to get through checkpoints. And the World Food Program tells us they have many trucks like this one, loaded, ready to go and are just waiting for permission.

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PLEITGEN (voice-over): Most of the parties involved in the fighting here, have agreed in principle to allow aid to besieged areas. ISIS has not. Syrian and Russian military aircraft have dropped some food and medical supplies. And soon, the U.N. wants to do the same.

AL SALEH: Unfortunately, we can't reach them. However, there is plans to -- do a drop and hopefully we'll soon manage to do an air drop to access them.

PLEITGEN: The World Food Program is still waiting to get the green light to enter many besieged areas. Until that permission comes, all they can do is keep packing the goods, ready to move when they can.

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BLITZER: What a report.

Fred Pleitgen reporting for us from Damascus.

Coming up, Pope Francis is heading to the U.S./Mexico border. We're going to walk you through his visit to a border fence, tell you why it's stirring up accusations of playing politics.

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[13:55:49] BLITZER: Pope Francis has just wrapped up a mass in Chiapas, Mexico, a part of the country ravaged by drug violence. He told them not to give up in the face of crime and corruption. Tomorrow, he heads to Juarez along the U.S./Mexican border, which was known as one of the most murderous cities in the world just a few years ago. He'll visit the fence that separates the United States and Mexico where he will pray for migrants there. It's a move that sparked some criticism from presidential candidate, Donald Trump, who called it a political move on the part of the pope.

Polo Sandoval looks ahead to the controversial mass.

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POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is where Pope Francis' final mass of his trip to Mexico will take place, Juarez. Crews have been working around the clock, transforming what was once a dusty fairground into a massive outdoor sanctuary. Pope Francis will be standing on this spot as he addresses a sea of faithful followers.

But perhaps one of the most critical moments won't happen here, it will take place as he breaks away and heads towards the border.

Francis will make his way to this path, according to local church official, who tell me that Francis will walk straight to the end of this route here, where a makeshift memorial to migrants will be set up that day. It is there that he will pray for the people who made it across the border and those who did not.

And that single symbolic moment expected to renew focus on the issue of immigration, something that's very important to the papacy of this pontiff, something very important to Mexico and, of course, highly debated right next door.

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BLITZER: Polo is joining us now live from Juarez.

Polo, is this part of the visit being viewed differently on the opposite sides of the board, the U.S. and the Mexican sides of the border?

Polo? Can you hear me, Polo?

I don't think he can hear me right now, but we're going to try to reconnect with him. Polo is there in Mexico.

This is an historic visit by the pope to Mexico. There has been some criticism, as I pointed out, Donald Trump, for example, who wants to build a wall between the United States and Mexico. And, as he often says, he wants Mexico to pay for that wall. Donald Trump has said the pope is being a little political now as part of these efforts.

But the pope is there in Mexico, as you can see right now. This is an historic visit by the pope. We're going to have a lot more coverage of the pope's visit to Mexico coming up here on CNN.

I just want to remind our viewers, some other events that are going to be taking place today, in about two and a half hours or so from now, 4:30 p.m. eastern, the president of the United States is in Rancho Mirage, California, right now. He's meeting with leaders of the ASEAN nations. He'll be holding a news conference. He'll open up, we're told, with a statement of what's going on that the event, at that ASEAN summit that's been going on. But he'll also take reporters' questions, American reporters' questions, presumably talking about the sudden and very surprising death over the weekend of the Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. A huge debate, as our viewers know, whether the president will go ahead, will go ahead and nominate someone to fill that seat very, very soon. The president says that's his constitutional responsibility. A lot of the Republicans, including the Republican majority leader in the Senate, say it's the constitutional responsibility of the Senate to either confirm or deny the nomination. That's what they're planning on doing. This is going to be a huge debate here in the United States. Let me also remind you, tomorrow night, Thursday night, exclusively

here on CNN, two separate town halls live from South Carolina. The six Republican presidential candidates will all be taking questions from the voters of South Carolina. Two separate nights, three on Wednesday, three on Thursday. Anderson Cooper will moderate this event, only, only here on CNN, 8:00 p.m. eastern.

That's it for me. Thanks very much for watching. I'll be back, 5:00 p.m. eastern, in "The Situation Room."

For our international viewers "Amanpour" is next.

For our viewers in North America, NEWSROOM with Brooke Baldwin starts right now.