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CNN NEWSROOM

George W. Bush Campaigns with Brother Jeb; Clinton, Sanders in Dead Heat in Nevada; Vetting Potential Supreme Court Nominees; Turkey Accuses Russia of War Crime; Humanitarian Need Urgent in Syria. Aired 12-1a ET

Aired February 16, 2016 - 00:00   ET

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


(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[00:00:17] ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world; I'm Isha Sesay.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm John Vause; this is "Newsroom" L.A. So much to get to this hour. We will begin with the Republican race to the White House and a blast from the past that Jeb Bush hopes will push him ahead. There he is, former President George W. Bush, in South Carolina, haven't seen him in eight years. He's there to stump for his brother.

SESAY: Yes, he is. It's his first major step back into politics since he left office back in 2009. The former president looked rested and ready as he took the stage. He didn't mention other republican candidates but it was clear, it was super clear that frontrunner Donald Trump was on his mind.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES: These are tough times, and I understand that Americans are angry and frustrated; but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and inflames our anger and frustration. Strength is not empty rhetoric. It is not bluster. It is not theatrics. Real strength, strength that (inaudible) purpose comes from integrity and character; and in my experience, the strongest person usually isn't the loudest one in the room.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Well, this feud between Donald Trump and Jeb Bush boiled over on Saturday, when the real estate mogul slammed George W. Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq.

SESAY: And in later comments he bashed the former president's overall record on national security.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP: I've heard for years he kept the country safe after -- what does that mean after? What about during 9/11? I was there. I lost a lot of friends that were killed in that building. The worst attack ever in this country, it was during his presidency. I mean, we had the worst attack ever. By the way, after that we did okay. That's meaning, the team scored 19 runs in the first inning, but after that we played well. I don't think so.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: This presidential campaign seems to be going into unchartered territory.

SESAY: I was thinking that.

VAUSE: We have never seen anything like this before. So trying to make sense of all of this, we're joined now by Republican Strategist John Thomas. He's also President of Thomas Partners.

SESAY: Also joining us, Democratic Strategist, Dave Jacobson from Shallman Communications; two of our favorite men. Two of our favorite wisemen, who join us regularly. Welcome. Welcome.

DAVE JACOBSON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST, SHALLMAN COMMUNICATIONS: Thanks for having us.

SESAY: George W. Bush on the campaign trail, back on the campaign trail, not naming Trump; clearly drawing contrast with him, however. Did he say enough to invigorate his brothers campaign, John?

JOHN THOMAS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST, THOMAS PARTNERS: You know, it's not a bad play to bring out President George W. Bush. He's very popular in South Carolina. It's a good move for Jeb. I'm not sure it's going to be enough to get him over the hump because that state, while the Bushes are very popular, national security is very popular, it is Trump nation right now in that state. I don't know that it will be enough, I don't think, to overcome Trump.

Really what Jeb is doing is vying for a second place and Ted Cruz might have a good showing as well.

JACOBSON: And George Bush has an 84-percent approval rating in South Carolina. I just don't know that that translates to Jeb Bush, unfortunately.

VAUSE: Okay, I understand that. (Inaudible).

[Laughter]

VAUSE: That's the least of my troubles. This stuff, Bush lied, people died, essentially is what Trump is going on about. This is heresy. This is straight out of Nancy Pelosi's play book and she wouldn't go there.

THOMAS: Right.

VAUSE: This is democratic conspiracy stuff. I mean, this is - the only reason why I think Trump might be doing this, and you can tell me this, it's an open primary and anyone can vote, which means Democrats can vote for Trump. JACOBSON: Right.

VAUSE: Does that make sense?

JACOBSON: Right, he's trying to attract the independent vote and this is a guy with a 20-point lead. He's a magnet when it comes to making headlines and media attention. So he's just trying to sort of continue to amplify his message and be that insurgent, anti- establishment candidate. He's exacerbating that sort of new narrative with this new attack against the Bush family.

THOMAS: You know, at first blush you go, what is this guy thinking? 55-percent of the GOP electorate nationally say they think going to Iraq was a good decision. But, so you say, he's giving up the veteran contingency. But remember, Donald Trump didn't attend one of the major debates so he could go raise money for vets. He's holding big rallies on battleships. This guy, vets love him and I don't think he's going to lose them over this one statement.

SESAY: He's banking on GOP orthodoxy and challenging George W. Bush's records so directly, surely, it must carry some risks for Trump down the line, if he was, indeed, to become the nominee?

THOMAS: It does, but he's not running as establishment anything. So the further he can run from establishment, the better off he is. It was a bold move last night. We're talking about it today.

JACOBSON: Right.

THOMAS: And, frankly, voters aren't voting for Donald Trump because of his [00:05:01] stance on the issues. I know that sounds crazy. They're voting for Donald Trump because he tells it like it is and he isn't beholden to the establishment.

VAUSE: You know the funny thing is, looking at that campaign in South Carolina a few hours ago, I kept thinking make America Bush again. There they all were; Laura Bush is up there. George W. Bush. I have to say, for Jeb Bush, he had a really good campaign rally. He was energized.

SESAY: He had 2,000 people there.

THOMAS: He lost his glasses.

VAUSE: HE lost his glasses. Let's listen to what he had to say, at least some of it.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JEB BUSH (R-FL) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The only way a Republican and a conservative wins is by campaigning with their arms open, with a hopeful, optimistic message, campaigning in every nook and cranny of this country, making sure everybody knows we want them on our team. The only way we win is to do what Republicans, when they win, always do, campaign like George W. did. Campaign like Ronald Reagan did. We have to get back to that. (END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: Clearly he's enjoying the fact that his family is behind him. He has their support.

THOMAS: Sure.

VAUSE: But just because Trump insulted his brother, who remains very popular in South Carolina, doesn't mean that those Trump supporters will rally around him, does it?

JACOBSON: I don't think so, and, look, Jeb Bush is doing everything he can to sort of attach himself to his brother at the hip. George Bush has 84-percent approval rating. This is a state dominated by veterans, you know, military employees. So, I think he's sort of doing everything that he can to appeal to those voters. I just don't know that it's going to be enough. It's kind of too little, too late.

SESAY: Doesn't it make him look weak, the fact that he has to bring out his family to kind of give him that --

THOMAS: He has to get invigorated. You know, that's bizarre. The Jeb Bush campaign is kind of like a drunk campaign in the sense, they launched with the word "Jeb" as his campaign logo, --

VAUSE: Yes.

SESAY: Yes.

THOMAS: -- excluding the Bush last name -

SESAY: Right.

THOMAS: -- because the GOP electorate is so scared of running a Bush third term, and now he is bringing back the Bush. He's ditching the "Jeb" and going with the "Bush." This campaign is just trying whatever it can to grasp at straws. Quite frankly, it's difficult for Bush. He's got to have a very good showing in South Carolina. I don't think we're going to see him drop out no matter what happens, but it's all of these establishment candidates that are going to keep going, that are essentially handing the domination to Donald Trump.

SESAY: Yes.

JACOBSON: The one thing I will say is Jeb Bush probably had his best debate performance last Saturday, right.

VAUSE: Yes.

SESAY: Yes.

JACOBSON: He had his most forceful performance. Had he done this earlier, in every single consecutive debate, he might be in a different position than he is right now.

SESAY: He also (inaudible) made the line, which I do think it is resonating more, as you see Cruz almost come late to the game of taking on Trump, of saying I have been taking him on the whole time. Where were you guys? I mean, I wonder whether that counts for anything with the voters.

THOMAS: I think the problem is, every time Jeb makes an exchange with Donald Trump, I think Donald Trump wins most of those exchanges. Although Jeb is trying to be the anti-Trump guy, you know, if you're going to go up against Trump, you better damn-well win and a lot of those, Trump just out yells him and says you're a liar. You're a wimp. You're bringing out your mommy. You know?

VAUSE: Yeah.

SESAY: It just got weird.

VAUSE: What was interesting, though, is Ted Cruz was given the opportunity to defend George W. Bush and he really didn't go there. Marco Rubio did, got a lot of cheers for that but we now have this feud which is going between Ted Cruz and Donald Trump; and we now have some of the sharpest attacks from Trump, which are being directed towards Ted Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: I haven't been doing this long. I've been in it since June 16th but I will tell you, I have never, ever met a person that lies more than Ted Cruz.

TED CRUZ (R-TX) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Truth matters, and we're not in grade school where you get to say liar, liar, pants on fire and not respond to the substance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: So what happened here? I mean, these two on the stage Cruz wouldn't take him on. All of a sudden, he's like bring it? What's going on?

THOMAS: Cruz doesn't seem to be great at the debates when he's right, you know, the heat is on. Afterward, you notice his logo on-screen was "Trust Ted," right? His whole campaign essence is that he is the trusted conservative.

VAUSE: Sorry, to interrupt, but did you see what Trump did to it? Cannot be -- can't be trus-ted.

THOMAS: I think Donald Trump is right. He knows that Ted Cruz is his number one opponent in South Carolina, especially going after the evangelical vote. He is right to attack Cruz, and its fun to watch the back and forth's but Ted Cruz has to be consistent when he attacks. He can't just show up one day and attack.

SESAY: And the next day back down.

JACOBSON: I think the other thing that Ted Cruz is trying to pull from the Iowa playbook, is he is going on the attack with really sharp attacks against Donald Trump. Why? Because it worked in Iowa and it got him in first place and Donald Trump in second place.

VAUSE: Okay, we have Trump, which is threatening legal action and this got convoluted, but basically Trump is saying take down those nasty ads, stop telling lies about me, you know, you liar, otherwise I'm going to sue you because you're not eligible to run because you're born in Canada. Is that where we are with the state of play here?

THOMAS: First of all, Donald Trump is known to be litigious. He was [00:10:02] incredibly litigious as a real estate developer. So this is right in his playbook. The fact is, he doesn't care whether he wins this lawsuit. He is winning because we're talking about it and questioning Ted's authenticity and credibility.

SESAY: So let me ask you this, Donald Trump also says there's a role for the RNC to play here, to get involved. Is there a role for them to play as the rhetoric heats up and this gets nastier?

THOMAS: I think the RNC has done a pretty good job of staying neutral in this process. They could have easily trashed Donald Trump. They started at the beginning by putting out memos to all of the candidates, what happens if Trump wins? I think the RNC should play neutral in this entire process.

JACOBSON: I think also what this underscores is the fact that Donald Trump is extremely thin-skinned and really a rambunctious candidate. He can't take the hard hits without pivoting and hitting right back.

VAUSE: So you're saying the RNC is neutral. You know, I think a lot of people might disagree with that, saying if you look at that audience for that debate, it was stacked against Donald Trump.

[Cross Talk]

SESAY: -- there's a lot going on and the tickets were distributed months ago.

THOMAS: You're right. The RNC, I don't know if it was them being biased. It's just that's how they sell tickets. They give them away to donors, but in a strange sense, every time they booed, I thought Donald Trump is loving this. His supporters are loving it. He's running against the establishment and they are the audience.

SESAY: The donor class.

VAUSE: Let's get to the democratic said. Hillary Clinton is trying to stop Bernie Sanders (inaudible) before the voting begins in Nevada caucus later this week. She's trying to make him out to be this one- trick pony, this single-issue guy. She's doing it with a new TV ad.

(Clinton Ad plays)

SESAY: So, Dave, to bring you in here, what do you make this line of attack from Hillary Clinton, you know, that Bernie Sanders is a one- trick pony, if you will, and his trick is Wall Street. Is it a winning strategy for her to go down to galvanize her supporters? JACOBSON: Well clearly she's seen the new polling in Nevada that shows her in a dead-heat with Bernie Sanders. They're tied at 45 points, and Bernie Sanders is starting to close the gap in South Carolina. Back in November, he was down by 50 points. Now, he's cut that lead by half; he's down by 25 points, according to "Real Clear Politics." So I think clearly she sees that she has to figure out a way to, sort of, hold him accountable to his message, raise questions and raise issues when it comes to his vulnerable.

The reality is his message is penetrating all across America. His poll numbers are surging because his message is breaking through. People want change and he represents the change that voters perceive they need.

THOMAS: Here's the problem the two campaigns have: Bernie Sanders thinks that there's no difference between economic inequality and racial inequality. Democratic minorities think there is a distinct difference and the candidate must talk about that. Hillary knows it. Hillary is talking about racial inequality and economic inequality, but the economic inequality argument falls flat because she is living a dual life. She's saying one thing yet she is a multi- multimillionaire and voters know that.

VAUSE: When does Hillary Clinton start talking about the cost of Bernie Sanders' vision here? The cost of all these promises? 40- percent increase in government spending, increasing the government spent GDP up to 28-percent, the highest sit's been since WW II; not being able to get any of this through Congress? I mean, she kind of touched on it last week but she's left it on the table.

JACOBSON: Right, well, we definitely saw that sort of line of attack at the debate last week.

VAUSE: She didn't really follow through.

JACOBSON: She didn't really follow through, and I think she's largely trying to run a positive campaign, but now that he is creeping up in early states like Nevada, that were supposed to be her firewall and we're approaching Super Tuesday, where 900 delegates are at stake, I think increasingly you're going to see more of these lines of attack and more ads like that.

THOMAS: They're running a democratic primary, John. We're scared of the attack. That's more of a general election argument.

VAUSE: Right.

SESAY: And how do you take it down, face-to-face, point-on-point, without it seeming as if you're crushing people's dreams and you're being low on inspiration. it's a hard one?

THOMAS: Yes, and Bernie's saying we're going to solve it. We're going to pay a little bit more, and he pushes aside. His base doesn't push back. My base would. His base doesn't.

SESAY: Your base definitely would. VAUSE: Thank you for being with us.

SESAY: Thank you.

VAUSE: We got through a lot, that was great. Join us this week for a two-day event. The CNN Republican Town Hall, moderated by Anderson Cooper; yes, two days of town halls. Yeah! Wednesday and Thursday, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, from Greenville, South Carolina. 5:00 p.m. Pacific; 9:00 a.m. in Hong Kong.

SESAY: I think you fooled the audience. I think they actually think you're excited.

VAUSE: I am. I am. It's two more days.

SESAY: Yes, you're going to have to work on that. Much more on the race for the White House ahead on "Newsroom L.A." What does Donald Trump's distance family think about his presidential run? We'll take you to his ancestral home in a medieval German village.

VAUSE: Plus, the White House hits back in the battle with Republicans over who should fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court.

SESAY: And, later, music's biggest stars turned out for this year's Grammy [00:15:04] Awards. We'll have a live look - we'll have a look, not a live look, --

VAUSE: We'll be live.

SESAY: We'll be live. We'll have a look at the night's big performances and winners all coming up.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (BUSINESS HEADLINES)

VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody; White House sources say the Obama Administration is already working on a short list of nominees to replace the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

SESAY: Republicans in the Senate are digging in their heels, vowing to block any candidate. Michelle Kosinski reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The White House today, now leveling its own blows at Republicans in the deep political standoff that started only hours after Justice Antonin Scalia's death.

ERIC SCHULTZ, DEPUTY PRESS SECRETARY, WHITE HOUSE: This is a republican congress that has a lot of practice saying no, but I also want to point out that this is not the first time that Republicans have come out with a lot of bluster only to have reality ultimately sink in.

KOSINSKI: President Obama vows to fill that Supreme Court seat by constitutional duty. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: There will be plenty of time for me to do so

and for the Senate to fulfill its responsibility to give that person a fair hearing and a timely vote. These are responsibilities that I take seriously, as should [00:20:02] everyone. they're bigger than any one party. They are about our democracy.

But a defiant Senate Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, seems unwilling to budge. "The American people should have a voice. This vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president."

OBAMA: Tonight we honor his extraordinary service to our nation.

KOSINSKI: White House officials are discussing the process for vetting the President's potential picks. Names circulating include federal court judges, some senators, even Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who was approved by the Senate last year, but only after a record month's long delay. Senator Claire McCaskill calling it then -

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO): Base politics at its ugliest.

KOSINSKI: But this fight could be worse, with so much at stake.

TED CRUZ (R-TX) REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We're one justice away from a radical five-justice liberal majority.

KOSINSKI: Ted Cruz, bringing it to the campaign trail.

(Election Commercial Played)

KOSINSKI: On past supreme court choices, the President has often mentioned an element of compassion.

OBAMA: The judge who is sympathetic enough to those who are on the outside, those who are vulnerable --

KOSINSKI: Now, though, politics will be pivotal. Does the President choose someone very moderate, whom Republicans will feel great pressure to at least bring to a vote; criticism if they don't; or a liberal to rally democrats, potentially sending more voters to the polls in November?

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY) SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: I believe that many of the mainstream republicans, when the President nominates a mainstream nominee, will not want to follow Mitch McConnell over the cliff.

SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D-VT) SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: If the republican leadership refuses even to hold a hearing, I think that is going to guarantee they lose control of the Senate because I don't think the American people would stand for that.

KOSINSKI: Already this is shaping up to be the President's last big battle in Congress. What is certain is that the outcome will shape the politics and the legal landscape in this country for decades. Now, on the timeline, there's a vetting process that needs to happen. Interviews. The President himself will want to speak to his finalists. The White House is indicating it could take up to a month for him to announce a nominee, as it has taken in the past.

Michelle Kosinski, CNN, Rancho Mirage, California.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: (Inaudible, music) it happens, the Professor of Law and Political Science, U.C. Irvine. He is also author of "Plutocrats United." Rick, thanks for being with us.

SESAY: Welcome.

VAUSE: It's interesting, when we look at the makeup of the Supreme Court, the average age of the eight justices is now 68. When Antonin Scalia was there, it was around 75. But the reality is, if you look at the ages of these people, sooner or later someone will eventually retire or, sadly, what happened to Scalia, someone will pass away. So the reality is, when you look at these appointments, there isn't just one fight brewing, there's a lot of fights brewing and they're all going to be even more political than the one before it, I imagine.

RICHARD HASEN, PROFESSOR OF LAW & POLITICAL SCIENT, UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA, IRVINE: That's right; and, so, if it would have been an older, democratic appointed justice who would have died, probably the President would have had an easier time confirming that person because it would have preserved the status quo. But now this potentially changes the balance of power and it could change back again in a few years. You know, we don't know what the timing is going to be; but so much is riding on this very close 5-4 majority and that could, over the next ten years, shift back and forth.

SESAY: This notion of there not being enough time, I mean, it's been pointed out that since 1975, no nominee has waited for a confirmation vote longer than 108 days. The president has 341 days remaining. I mean, they can get this done. There is the time to get it done.

HASEN: Right; it's all a question of a political battle. I have little doubt if the shoe were on the other foot, if this was a George Bush on his way out and Democrats controlled the Senate, we would see a similar kind of dynamic going on and it's a question of whether when Obama nominates someone, who is either a moderate candidate or someone with stellar credentials.

VAUSE: A Goldilocks candidate?

HASEN: Yes; if republicans try to block a hearing or not allow votes, then the question is, how are people going to react? Is that going to be a political loser? Remember, there are 24 Republican Senators up for re-election. Those that are in those close states, you know, Wisconsin, think of the places where it could be close, it may be dangerous for some of those Republicans to vote against going forward on a nominee.

VAUSE: Talk about the legality here, what we've touched about, about the balance of the court going back and forth, from the five conservative judges, if you include Scalia, and the four more liberal, if you like. If that balance continues to ebb and flow in the coming years, what does that mean for some of the more, I guess, bigger legal decisions or issues that often come up before the Supreme Court?

HASEN: Right; so the court is not a purely political institution, even though to outsiders it looks like it. You have the conservatives, supporting cutbacks on abortion, liberals don't. One of the things that the justices do is they [00:25:04] are reluctant to change things quickly. There's a belief and respect for precedent, we call stare decisis. So you have to follow the old rule, unless there's a compelling reason not to.

So I wouldn't expect that the President gets someone confirmed tomorrow who's like Justice Kagan or Justice Sotomayor, that things are going to turn on a dime. But over the next few years, things, Citizens United, abortion, affirmative action, guns, the hot-button issues could get back before the court and we could see a different decision, or an eroding of some of the conserv's opinions that have come out in the last ten years.

SESAY: And Rick, very briefly, this notion of how he proceeds, do you see him trying to game the system to get this nomination through?

HASEN: I think he's going to straight out pick somebody who is a strong candidate and then see what happens politically.

SESAY: Rick Hasen.

VAUSE: Thank you for being with us. One more time, author of "Plutocrats United", also Professor of Law at University of California in Irvine. Thank you for coming in, Rick.

SESAY: Thank you so much.

HASEN: Thank you.

VAUSE: Take care.

SESAY: Now, time for a quick break. Hospitals and schools come under brutal attack in Northern Syria; ahead, the devastating civilian toll.

(COMMECIAL BREAK)

VAUSE: Just going to 9:30 on a Monday night. You're watching "CNN Newsroom," live from Los Angeles. Thanks for being with us. I'm John Vause.

SESAY: And I'm Isha Sesay. Let's get you caught up on the latest in the U.S Presidential race. (HEADLINES)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

[00:30:05] GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES: These are tough times and I understand that Americans are angry and frustrated, but we do not need someone in the Oval Office who mirrors and enflames our angers and frustration.

(END VIDEO CLIP) VAUSE: Mr. Trump has been snide against the Bush family since Saturday, when he went after George W. Bush's record on national security, mentioning the 9/11 attacks and on Monday, Donald Trump did not let up.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

I've heard for years he kept the country safe after 9/ -- what does that mean "after"? What about during 9/11. I was there. I lost a lot of friends that were killed in that building. The worst attack ever in this country, it was during his presidency.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton is rallying for votes ahead of the Nevada caucuses. Clinton is calling rival Bernie Sanders a single-issue candidate, saying his focused is only on Wall Street. Meanwhile, Sanders repeated his demand for universal health care at a rally event in Michigan.

VAUSE: And we move on now to the crisis in Syria; and there is international outrage after missile attacks on a number of schools in the northern part of the country.

SESAY: That's right, they killed and injured civilians in Aleppo and Idlib.

Turkey accused Russia of an obvious war crime and the U.N. called the attacks a "blatant violation of international law." It's not clear who is responsible.

VAUSE: There was one school and a number of hospitals which were hit and Medecin Sans Frontieres saying its hospital in Idlib was hit four times, within minutes. The organization's president says it's not the first time its facilities have come under attack.

MEGO TERZIAN, PRESIDENT, MEDECIN SANS FRONTIERES: It's clearly an attack against the medical mission. To be today a doctor or a nurse in the areas controlled by the opposition, it's equal to be a criminal. Unfortunately, if you are a doctor and you are working in a hospital, clearly, you are under attack by the Syrian regime.

VAUSE: The escalating violence in Syria is casting a lot of doubt over the so-called "Cessation of Hostilities Agreement" which is due to go into effect on Friday. So to a defiant Syrian President, Bashar al-Assad, who has played down the chances the deal will actually succeed.

I want to bring in now Edward Djerejian, a former Ambassador to Syria and Israel; he is also the director of Public Policy at Rice University. He joins us now from Houston.

Mr. Ambassador, thank you for being with us. Does it look like the groundwork --

EDWARD DJEREJIAN, PRESIDENT, DJEREJIAN GLOBAL CONSULTANCIES, LLP: My pleasure.

VAUSE: -- is being laid for this nationwide hostility -- the cessation of hostility or is this sort of a last minute frenzy? We often see this, trying to deliver the biggest blow before there's a timeout?

DJEREJIAN: I think a -- establishing a ceasefire is highly problematic under the current circumstances. I wouldn't even call it a cessation of hostilities. I think what we have now are talks about a truce that could lead to a ceasefire but the political agendas for the parties are so desperate and even conflicting, that I'm highly skeptical that an effective ceasefire on the ground can be achieved.

VAUSE: We've had this report now from Medecin Sans Frontieres that say one of their hospitals was hit by four missiles in just minutes. They believe it was not an accident. They believe it was a deliberate act. Does that fit in with a pattern here, systemic attacks on Syria's health care facilities?

DJEREJIAN: Well yes, it does because we've seen this in the past and health facilities, Medecin Sans Frontieres, have been targeted. They're a great organization, a heroic organization in my eyes, and they have been targeted in the past, as have other humanitarian groups and medical facilities.

The ploy there is really on the part of the Russians and the Syrians is that they are targeting any -- any area, in which they believe what they call terrorists, could be terrorists and Syrian rebel forces are located. That is their main imperative. That's why you're getting these strikes against civilian areas because they are targeting areas where they think the Syrian rebel forces are present.

VAUSE: We had a situation where under the cessation of hostilities, under the ceasefire agreement, you alluded to this, that the Russians will go on with their air strikes, with their air campaign. A lot of people look at that and saying doesn't that negate the entire deal?

DJEREJIAN: Exactly; there's no logic to it, frankly. It's an absurdity and [00:35:01] even Bashar al-Assad, the president of Syria, has stated that a ceasefire does not entail the end of fighting. God knows what (inaudible) and word games are being played here, while the situation on the ground is getting increasingly desperate around Aleppo and where the Russians and the Syrians, with the Iranian allies, are maximizing their position on the ground and bolstering their political position in any future talks. That's the name of the game. We should see this clearly.

VAUSE: And Mr. Ambassador, finally here, the Russians are denying they were the ones responsible for the air strikes on the Medecin Sans Frontieres or the Doctors Without Borders there, the medical facilities there in Syria. Do you buy that for a moment?

DJEREJIAN: Well, I'm not there. I don't have surveillance capabilities to see who did it; but, frankly, given past behavior, past actions, I just don't buy that.

VAUSE: So we'll leave it there. Thank you very much, we appreciate you speaking with us tonight.

DJEREJIAN: You're very welcome.

SESAY: Well the humanitarian need is urgent, and although most parties have agreed in principle to allow aide into besieged areas Syria, ISIS has not. The U.N. is considering air drops of food and medical supplies, but (inaudible) a U.N. distribution center outside Damascus, where the world food program is ramping up its relief effort.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRED PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: These images shocked the world. People starving in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya. Aide groups say dozens have succumbed to hunger in the winter months.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This child here is very ill. If - lives three days and he get sick and ill and his stomach is really, really hurting. He needs immediately go to hospital outside of Madaya.

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 Programme is gearing up to escalate its relief effort. Hassam al-Salah shows me the facility.

HASSAM AL SALAH, WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME: We receive the commodities in large quantities and package them into small, individual portions. Each portion is enough to feed five people for a month.

PLEITGEN: While the World Food Programme is working to get its aide ready, the problem is that many warring parties in Syria are not willing to allow 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. The World Food Programme says it could get to places like Madaya quickly if its allowed.

Workers are already stacking boxes into trucks. Once this vehicle is loaded, the folks here are going to seal it, which makes it easier to get through checkpoints. The World Food Programme tells us they have many trucks like this one, loaded, ready to go and are just waiting for permission.

Most of the parties involved in the fighting here, have agreed, in principle, to allow aide to besieged areas; but ISIS has not. The group has surrounded the eastern Syrian city of Dar Azor (ps). Syrian and Russian military aircraft have dropped some food and medical supplies and soon the U.N. wants to do the same.

AL SALAH: Unfortunately we couldn't reach it. However, Dar Azor, there is a plan to do an air drop and hopefully we'll soon manage to do an air drop, as well, to assist them.

PLEITGEN: The World Food Programme 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.

Fred Pleitgen, CNN, Kiswah, Syria.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: We'll take a short break here on "Newsroom L.A." When we come back, we'll head back to the U.S. presidential campaign and we'll take you to the village in Germany, home to the Trump ancestors. What do those distant relatives make of the Republican frontrunner?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [00:42:32] SESAY: Welcome back everyone. Donald Trump is proud of his German heritage. His roots go back to Kallstadt, Germany.

VAUSE: And Atika Shubert went to this small village and asked his relatives what they think about Donald Trump running for president.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

TRUMP: My grandfather, Frederick Trump, came to the United States in 1885. He joined the great gold rush. He did fantastically well. He loved this country. So, they were from Germany. I have great German heritage. I'm very proud of it. Great place, but we all love the United States the best. you know what? I love Kallstadt (inaudible)

ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome to Kallstadt, South Germany; population 1,200. Its local vintage, a dry (inaudible). Famous sons include Henry Heinz, the ketchup king, and this guy. Yes, Kallstadt is the ancestral home of Donald Trump.

Simone Vendall (ps), a great cousin-in-law of Trump made "The Kings of Kallstadt," a documentary of her hometown's Trump connection, just before he launched his U.S. Presidential bid.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you feel any Kallstadt (inaudible) in your (inaudible)?

TRUMP: Well the people of Kallstadt are very reliable, strong people and I feel that about myself. I'm strong and I'm very reliable. I'm on time. I get things done and that's basically the whole German culture, not just Kallstadt; that's the German culture and, you know, I'm proud to have that German blood, there's no question about it. Great stuff.

SHUBERT: I wasn't surprised he was going to run for president, she tells me. I think I always knew he was going to do something like this.

Kallstadt mayor, Thomas Javert (ps), took us for a tour.

THOMAS JAVERT, MAYOR, KALLSTADT: Hello. That's relatives to Trump.

SHUBERT: Just outside of the house, a car pulls up and a man leans out to say, we served wine at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth, maybe there will be a Kallstadt wine at the U.S. presidential inauguration.

Axle Messer's family is more Heinz than Trump. They have been making wine since the 1600's. He figures Trump does have one distinctive Kallstadt [00:45:01] trait. Kallstadter's are certainly confident he says, and Trump is not short of confidence.

A ten-minute walk away the Kallstadt Country Ladies Association is busy making herring salad for Ash Wednesday. Innkeeper, Veronica Shram (ps), says Trump just wouldn't fit in Kallstadt today.

VERONICA SHRAM, INNKEEPER, via translator: Personally, I think he's too much of a radical. We're a friendly place, she says.

SHUBERT: No one we spoke to seemed to think that Trump would visit Kallstadt soon, president or not, but everybody suggested that he try the delicacy, stuffed pig stomach.

Atika Shubert, CNN, Kallstadt, Germany.

(Trump speaking German)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: That's German for make Kallstadt great again, I think, if he's president.

SESAY: We shall wait for the hat.

VAUSE: I can't wait. Good idea?

SESAY: Coming up, it was a night full of music and tributes right here in Los Angeles. The best moments from the year's Grammy's, coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) (WORLD SPORT HEADLINES)

SESAY: Hello, everyone. Well stars from every music genre turned out for [00:50:02] the 58th Grammy Awards right here in Los Angeles.

VAUSE: Music's biggest night was filled with some epic performances and a few moving tributes to artists who are no longer with us.

(Lady Gaga performs David Bowie song)

SESAY: Just in case you're wondering, that is indeed Lady Gaga, who stole the show with a lavish, lavish performance honoring rock legend David Bowie -

VAUSE: -- who passed away last month. In case you were counting, for those of you at home, she went through 11 of Bowie's hits, none of his more recent stuff. Now, some people were saying this was one of the highlights of the night. Other people were actually panning it, saying it was rushed. It was not considered. It wasn't particularly good, which is why we have Mike Bruno.

SESAY: Exactly.

VAUSE: To actually sort all of this out.

SESAY: Senior Vice President of Digital Content at Billboard. Thanks so much for joining us. MIKE BRUNO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF DIGITAL CONTENT, BILLBOARD: Thanks for having me.

VAUSE: What did you think of the Lady Gaga tribute?

BRUNO: I thought it was great. it's interesting that people are saying they felt it was rushed. At first I did sort of feel the same thing. I kind of felt like she was going through a lot really quick -

VAUSE: Yes.

BRUNO: -- but by the end, just the way - I mean, she truly channeled him then and it made you think about Lady Gaga the artist, and the different personas she takes on and what a wonderful performer and artist she is. I think she really channeled him and really nailed it. It was one of my favorite points of the whole show tonight.

SESAY: In some ways she is a success. That's what I took away from it, as well, that kind of like chameleon-like quality as an artist.

BRUNO: Absolutely. I think she's one of the artists out there, she owes a lot to David Bowie; absolutely.

SESAY: Want to talk about the other big talker out of the Grammy's, of course, Kendrick Lamar and that performance. It had been sign- posted ahead of time. We knew it was going to be something that pushed the envelope, that took a stand. What did you make of it? I'm sure we've got some pictures of it. We want to put it up on screen and just get your thoughts on how he set up the whole performance.

BRUNO: Yes, we did know he was going to do something. He had spoken to producer Ken Ehrlich and Ken Ehrlich had spoken to some people and said that he was going to do some things. I think L.L. Cool J made mention of it, as well. But I think it still was jarring. I mean, to see him up there, he had on prison blues. He had handcuffs on and there was the jazz musicians behind the bars. It was stirring and Kendrick Lamar performing, given the topics he hits on, given how he doesn't shy away from issues of race and being a black man in America, and the times that we live in, I think we expected it, but I still think it was jarring. It was really, really powerful.