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CNN NEWSROOM

Bush Brothers Rally in South Carolina; Clinton Accuses Sanders of Being Single-Issue; Battle Over Supreme Court Replacement; Obama Convenes ASEAN Summit in California; Pope Francis in Mexico; Hopes for Syria Cease-fire Fading; Syrian Opposition Leaders Says Civilians Paying Price in War; 3 Biggest Grammys Go to 2 Different Artists; Diversity the Issue on Red Carpet; Kanye West's Tweets on Debt. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired February 16, 2016 - 01:00   ET

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


[01:01:00] ISHA SESAY, CNN ANCHOR: This is CNN NEWSROOM, live from Los Angeles.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN ANCHOR: Ahead this hour --

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, 43RD PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: In my experience, the strongest person usually isn't the loudest one in the room.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

VAUSE: For the first time this election, former president George W. Bush hits the campaign trail with his brother, taking a swipe at Donald Trump.

SESAY: Plus President Obama says despite Republican objections, he will nominate appoint a replacement for Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.

VAUSE: And later this hour, the Assad regime advances in southern Syria just days before an expected cessation of hostilities.

SESAY: Hello, and welcome to our viewers in the United States and around the world. I'm Isha Sesay.

VAUSE: Great to have you with us. I'm John Vause. NEWSROOM L.A. starts now.

SESAY: Well, it's turning into a family feud of sorts in the Republican presidential race. Jeb Bush is looking to his brother to help fire up support in South Carolina. Former president George W. Bush stumped across the state Monday. This is his first major step, back into politics since he left office seven years ago.

VAUSE: South Carolina has always been good to the Bush family but as Gary Tuchman reports, Jeb Bush and his brother, George, they have a fight on their hands. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Former President, George W. Bush with his wife Laura on the 2016 campaign trail to try to make his brother Jeb the next president.

G. BUSH: I came here for two reasons. One, because I care deeply about Jeb, and two, because I care deeply about our country.

TUCHMAN: The two sons of another former president, George H.W. Bush, have not campaigned together during this election until now in South Carolina.

G. BUSH: There seems to be a lot of name-calling going on, but I want to remind you what our good dad told me one time. Labels are for soup cans.

TUCHMAN: George W. Bush did not mention Donald Trump by name, but there were clear inferences to the real estate mogul.

G. BUSH: Now 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.

TUCHMAN: And those inferences were sprinkled throughout his speech.

G. BUSH: Strength is not empty rhetoric, it is not bluster, and in my experience the strongest person usually isn't the loudest one in the room.

TUCHMAN: Jeb Bush is significantly behind in the South Carolina primary polls but hopes this event provides a spark.

(On camera): If Jeb Bush doesn't stun the political world and win the South Carolina primary, it will break the Bush family Palmetto State winning streak. His brother won here in 2000 and was uncontested in 2004. His father won in 1988 and 1992.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bush country, man. South Carolina is Bush country.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Many supporters here believe George W. Bush's brotherly campaign appearance can help change the dynamics in the state's primary.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he was a wonderful president. I know he gets a lot of criticism but I think given the cards he was dealt that he did a wonderful job.

TUCHMAN (on camera): So you think this will help his brother's campaign?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

TUCHMAN: Do you think he can win South Carolina?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think he can. I think if he doesn't win he is going to do very well.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): While many of the people here have supported Jeb Bush from the beginning of the campaign, some others have gravitated towards him because of their dislike for one of the other Republican candidates.

(On camera): How does it make you feel when Donald Trump makes fun of Jeb by saying he is campaigning with his mommy and now his brother?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Juvenile. It's really the only word to say it. I think that's the only way to describe the way that he really is in general, it's very juvenile, very childlike and it's not really I think getting him anywhere with people who are really paying attention to things.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Donald Trump has a commanding lead in the polls, much to the dismay of many people here who have supported Bushes in the past and plan to support this Bush in the immediate future, this Saturday.

JEB BUSH (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I ask for your support next Saturday. I ask for your prayers for our family. God bless you all. Thank you very much for coming.

[01:05:05] TUCHMAN: Gary Tuchman, CNN, North Charleston, South Carolina.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Well, for more on what has been an unprecedented election campaign so far, we're joined by Republican strategist John Thomas. He is also president of Thomas Partners.

SESAY: And also joining us Democratic strategist Dave Jacobson, from the Shelman Communications. Our two favorites. Our two regulars.

Gentlemen, we heard George W. Bush on the campaign trail there, stumping for his brother. It's easy to see why you'd go for him and bring him out because, you know, South Carolina has been good to the Bushes. But in an election year that is all anti-establishment, I mean, how wise is it to bring him out and, you know, put him front and center?

JOHN THOMAS, REPUBLICAN CONSULTANT: Well, he needed something to invigorate his campaign and make the difference. In South Carolina, the Bushes and George W. is very popular. I think you're going to see a shift after South Carolina that George W. will start disappearing again. And it's an interesting gauntlet that Jeb has to walk because just like he avoided the Bush tag in his logo, it may work in certain places but at the end of the day probably hurts more than it helps with his electorate if he is going to consolidate to this.

VAUSE: This shows -- sorry, this shows just how desperate Jeb Bush is.

THOMAS: Yes. Sure. VAUSE: Right now to have some kind of success. Because winning

number four isn't going to cut it.

THOMAS: Well, let's also not forget that Jeb spent and his super PAC spent over $40 million in New Hampshire for not an incredibly great showing.

DAVID JACOBSON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: And $2800 a vote in Iowa.

VAUSE: Yes.

JACOBSON: Right? I mean, look, he's tried every strategy and nothing has worked. So --

VAUSE: Give this a go, right?

JACOBSON: Throw the kitchen sink at it. Right? I mean, it makes sense. So I mean, in South Carolina, also, you know, George Bush was sort of the comeback kid in that state.

VAUSE: Right.

JACOBSON: This is -- he won in 2000 shortly after John McCain won in New Hampshire. It sort of propelled him to the Republican nomination in 2000 so it's a good strategy, I think, in Jeb's part.

SESAY: It's interesting to me that as Donald Trump is being forced to defend his conservative credentials, he goes on taking -- he goes about taking on GOP orthodoxy by challenging the record of George W. Bush and his record on safety and 9/11 and the Iraq war. I mean, what do you make of that?

THOMAS: And you know, in a way I think you have to step back from the individual issues and look at it in a broader perspective that he's challenging the establishment and establishment ideas. He's saying we're not going about it the right way. The establishment is wrong, I'm going to do a better job and I think because of that, he's smart in what he's doing. Now we'll see how it resonates in South Carolina.

VAUSE: Yes.

JACOBSON: Well, and the other thing, real quick, I think this sort of underscores the fact that Donald Trump is really the ultimate politician. This is a guy who's willing to do or say anything to generate headlines. And he's having tremendous success.

VAUSE: OK. Well, Jeb Bush isn't the only Republican who Donald Trump is having a fight with. He is --

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: He's also trading barbs with Donald Trump and with Ted Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: 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.

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Truth matters. And we are not in grade school where you just get to say liar, liar, pants on fire, and not respond to the substance.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SESAY: I feel like we're in a schoolyard, you know, liar, liar, pants on fire. Who's bandying about all of this.

VAUSE: So delicate there.

(LAUGHTER)

(CROSSTALK)

SESAY: Well, you've got to worry about your party, or do you, when you hear the discourse get down to this level?

THOMAS: I think our party, we're struggling, right? You've got a lot of it that's mad as hell and wants a change. And then you've got the people who want somebody with plans in a way to actually get that -- those plans, you know, made the changes made. I think this really opened up an opportunity for John Kasich. You saw in the debate that he played the adult in the room. And there is not --

SESAY: But isn't that dull?

THOMAS: Well, it is. But there's a lane for the adult in the room in this primary. And hopefully John Kasich is hoping that it's large enough to allow him to make a decent showing in South Carolina and keep going until everybody else drops out. And it's Kasich and Trump. And in that, Kasich could get the nomination.

VAUSE: Come on. Really? John Kasich here?

THOMAS: Well, here's the thing. The argument is Donald Trump reaches his ceiling.

VAUSE: Right.

THOMAS: Mid 30s.

VAUSE: Yes.

THOMAS: And then Kasich consolidates. It's a hard go for Kasich. I think he's running for VP, if I'm being honest.

VAUSE: OK.

SESAY: Does he need to keep going?

VAUSE: No.

THOMAS: I think it's going to be tough. JACOBSON: I think his goals is to stay until Iowa and hopefully have

a good showing, hopefully win there, and that will -- that will sort of make an argument for himself to be a VP pick because no Republican has won the White House without winning Iowa in a general election.

VAUSE: We have a situation with the Republicans, you know, they're each other -- they're tearing each other apart in this Republican primary, like I think we'd all agree we've never seen before.

JACOBSON: Right.

VAUSE: And then, I guess, from a Democrat point of view, you just sit back and say --

SESAY: Have at it.

VAUSE: Go at it, boys.

SESAY: Yes.

VAUSE: Let us know when you're done.

JACOBSON: Right. We're the party of ideas, right?

(LAUGHTER)

THOMAS: Well.

JACOBSON: We're having a legitimate --

(CROSSTALK)

SESAY: Feel free, feel free to challenge that.

JACOBSON: Ideas.

VAUSE: We got to stay -- I mean, we are hearing ideas and policies.

[01:10:01] THOMAS: And we're hearing ideas on our side of the aisle, as well.

VAUSE: But the thing drowned out, you're a liar, a liar, liar, pants on fire. He's the worst person I've ever met. He's a nut job. He's crazy.

SESAY: Unstable.

VAUSE: There's other stuff may be there but we're not hearing it.

THOMAS: Right. And we're -- on your side of the aisle, Dave, we're hearing about let's be more like Europe. Let's raise our taxes. Let's -- Obamacare didn't go further enough, which is unpopular in America. So we can argue about what kind of ideas are flowing around.

VAUSE: OK.

THOMAS: But you guys are enjoying it.

(LAUGHTER)

JACOBSON: We are.

VAUSE: We are going to have a little bit more on the Democratic side of the campaign because the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, she's trying to stop Bernie Sanders, his momentum, before Bernie begins in Nevada's Democratic caucuses later this week.

CNN's Brianna Keilar -- we have these guys back in a minute. Don't worry about that.

SESAY: Yes. They're staying here.

VAUSE: Our Brianna Keilar has more on how Secretary Clinton is now going after Bernie Sanders.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am not a single-issue candidate because this is not a single-issue country.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hillary Clinton sharpening her message for voters. That Bernie Sanders is a one-trick pony, focused only on the economy.

CLINTON: Not everything is about an economic theory, right? If we broke up the big banks tomorrow, and I will, if they deserve it. If they pose a systemic risk, I will. Would that end racism?

KEILAR: It's her latest attack line since Sanders won big in New Hampshire.

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Thank you, New Hampshire.

KEILAR: His populous message resonating with voters.

SANDERS: Together we're going to create an economy that works for working people, not just billionaires.

KEILAR: He calls Clinton's offensive stunning and a sign her campaign is coming unraveled. But her barbs may be working. At a forum on race and the economy in Minneapolis Friday, attendees challenged his proposals for jobs and free public college.

SANDERS: That money will go into those communities who need it most to rebuild their own communities.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How?

KEILAR: Asking how he is going to accomplish his lofty goals. But enthusiasm is still in Sanders' corner. "Saturday Night Live" making fun of Clinton's struggle to match it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I mean, I like Hillary's foreign policy experience. But I love Bernie's whole vibe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm obsessed with his vibe.

KEILAR: With Nevada Democrats set to caucus on Saturday, Clinton is keeping her focus on the state, skipping a planned event in Florida today and sending her husband instead. Sanders is trying to cut into Clinton's support from African-Americans ahead of next week's South Carolina primary.

SANDERS: I have just met with seven or eight residents of Flint, Michigan.

KEILAR: He met with families in Flint, Michigan, where the majority African-American population in the city faces lead contamination of the water supply.

SANDERS: It is beyond my comprehension that in the year 2016, in the United States of America, we are poisoning our children.

KEILAR: Clinton visited last week and is raising money for Flint's children with this Web ad.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: They need to fix Flint.

CLINTON: We need action now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: OK. Brianna Keilar there with that report. OK. So what is this? I've lost count. This is like Hillary Clinton's 28th time of trying to basically redefine and try to work out this sort of paradox that she's in now, trying to make pragmatism and practicality sound more exciting than a political revolution, right? That's where we're at. And it ain't working.

JACOBSON: Right. I mean, the reality is Bernie Sanders is building a movement. And Hillary Clinton is talking about her resume. Right? She's saying I will and he's saying, we will. And I think that the clear contrast that we're seeing in this campaign. Moreover, her message is very convoluted. It's not easily digestible for voters. What she really needs to do is sort of reflect what her husband, President Bill Clinton had in 1992, with a very simple sort of sharp message, which is this is -- it's the economy, stupid, and don't forget about health care. Two messages that she is not doing this time around.

SESAY: But why? Why isn't she doing that? Because you can see it, most people can see it, so why doing stay down -- going down this track?

JACOBSON: Well, I think, look, she's still the frontrunner and the most likely candidate to be the nominee ultimately at the end of the day. And so she's still sort of articulating a general election theme that she wants to embrace later on into the spring and throughout the summer and the fall.

THOMAS: I think she is struggling with the fact that the Democratic electorate just doesn't like -- they don't think she's authentic. Her message, although she's saying some of the right points, it's -- Bernie Sanders is a movement, like they said. I just think she's tone deaf and she's focusing on her resume and experience and that's not what the electorate wants.

VAUSE: I think every time -- what's the saying? Every time a politician says, let me explain.

THOMAS: Right.

VAUSE: You've lost every voter out there. No one cares.

THOMAS: Right.

VAUSE: It's like, they want a simple message. And I don't think she's got a simple message.

THOMAS: She doesn't. And the fact is, she's been riddled with scandal, quite frankly, since she's launched her campaign. She can't seem to get out from under these e-mails. Always seems to be another e-mail.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: But the key thing that the Democrats don't care about those scandals. I mean --

THOMAS: Well, I think the broader --

(CROSSTALK)

THOMAS: Yes. But the broader statement is, across the entire electorate that's about 60 percent of the -- the population that says they don't trust Hillary Clinton. That cuts across those e-mails, although it may not be a big deal to Democrats. It reinforces what they suspected. And that's she can't be trusted.

[01:15:05] SESAY: And is that drip, drip, drip quality of the e- mails.

JACOBSON: Right. And I think part of that sort of -- sort of the establishment narrative, right? People don't trust the establishment. They don't trust Washington. They see the dysfunction. And she's not really embracing the sort of movement that's -- you know, sort of peeling away from the anti-establishment narrative. She's not sort of the changed candidate that she can be. She's got to peel away from that. And I also think going back to the trust issue. She's got to sort of open things up a little bit. When the transcript issue came up with the Goldman Sachs.

VAUSE: Yes. JACOBSON: About her campaign, I just release it. He is going to hit

on it over and over.

THOMAS: Yes. Yes. And she has a problem where she says in these clips earlier that she will regulate the banks if they deserve it. Really? You know, how much money have you taken per speech and for your campaigns? And you say you're not beholden to these banks?

VAUSE: Right.

THOMAS: I think Bernie has got a much better answer on those issues.

VAUSE: We will leave it there.

SESAY: We will.

VAUSE: Thank you both.

THOMAS: Thanks for having us.

SESAY: Dave and John.

VAUSE: Always a pleasure. Always fun.

SESAY: Always good to have you with us. We know you'll be back.

(LAUGHTER)

VAUSE: They just sleep here.

SESAY: We got little cots for you now.

All right. Well, join us this week for a two-day event, the CNN Republican town hall, moderated by Anderson Cooper. John is so excited about all of this because we will all get to hear from the candidates Wednesday and Thursday, at 8:00 p.m. East live from Greenville, South Carolina. That's 5:00 p.m. Pacific. 9:00 a.m. if you're in Hong Kong.

VAUSE: These things are always fun to watch. And these town hall events actually are very revealing most of the time.

OK. A short break here. When we come back, the White House and Senate Republicans on notice, warning not to think long and hard about blocking the president's pick for the Supreme Court. We look at some of the possible contenders in a moment.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(SPORTS)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:20:35] SESAY: Hello, everyone. The White House is making it clear, President Obama fully intends to nominate a successor for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Sources tell us the administration is already working on a list of potential nominees.

VAUSE: But Senate Republicans say they will not even consider Mr. Obama's choice insisting the decision should be left to the next president.

Here's Pamela Brown.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAMELA BROWN, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The body of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia transported home to Virginia aboard a private plane. The 79-year-old conservative icon was found dead of natural causes Saturday morning in his bed at this Texas hunting resort. President Obama mourning his loss in an address before the nation.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Justice Scalia dedicated his life to the cornerstone of our democracy. The rule of law.

BROWN: Scalia's sudden death comes as the justices are considering major cases on contraception, abortion, immigration and voting rights, and is expected to have a huge impact on the court.

STEVE VLADECK, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: There's both a long-term impact to Justice Scalia's death and a short-term impact. And the short-term impact is going to be immediately felt. All of these cases are very narrowly divided on the court. One vote here or there could tip the balance.

BROWN: Without Scalia on the bench, the eight remaining justices could find themselves in a four-four split in their decisions. If that happens, the lower court ruling is upheld and there is no national precedent set by the high court. Or a decision is delayed until a new justice is named.

VLADECK: So where the government lost below a four-four time in the Supreme Court is the government still losses. And so, for example, on President Obama's immigration plan that would not be a win for the White House.

BROWN: The battle for a new justice has already begun. Some possibilities include Sri Srinivasan, a 48-year-old D.C. Circuit Court judge appointed by a unanimous Senate vote, Merrick Garland, chief judge of D.C. Court of Appeals, is considered a moderate nominated by President Clinton. Paul Watford, an Obama appointee to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Jane Kelly, another Obama appointment in Iowa, who like Srinivasan, was confirmed by a unanimous vote by the Senate.

No matter what happens in the coming months, Democrats and Republicans agree Justice Scalia's legacy as a legal giant will long survive him, even if the court's conservative majority doesn't.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: Our thanks to Pamela Brown for that report.

President Obama will visit Vietnam in May when he travel to Japan for the G-7 summit. Right now he here is in California meeting with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian nations.

SESAY: The group's annual summit will focus on boosting trade and presenting a unified front on North Korea.

CNN White House correspondent Michelle Kosinski has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MICHELLE KOSINSKI, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The U.S. summit has now begun here in California. The first time it's being held in America. And the White House is calling that historic. A message the U.S. is sending. The importance of this relationship. And these nations together comprise the U.S.'s fourth-largest trading partner and about a tenth of the world's population.

The White House wants to show that that relationship is strong. This is President Obama's last chapter in his re-pivot to Asia. And he hopes that that foundation is strong to move forward even after he's out of office. Wanting to send the message, too, that the U.S. wants to be a source of stability in that region.

President Obama just opened the summit with remarks. He covered a few of the topics. And there are many on these leaders' plates in the short time they'll be together. Even touched on some of the touchier ones. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: We can advance our shared vision of a regional order, where international rules and norms including freedom of navigation are upheld and where disputes are resolved through peaceful, legal means. Together we can continue to support the aspirations and dignity of our citizens. The historic election in Myanmar and the transition now under way, gives hope for a nation that is inclusive, united, peaceful and democratic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOSINSKI: So among the big subjects that will be discussed, we're talking economics, the trade relationship, democracy is a big one. Counterterrorism, development. I mean, you name it, they want to tackle it even though time is short. But there are always two forces looming over meetings involving Asia. One is China. Well, we can expect that the U.S. to send a message for China to stop reclaiming land in the South China Sea.

[01:25:04] These nations are expected to compose and sign a statement to that effect, on the freedom of navigation and adherence to the rule of international law. North Korea is also the big security subject here. The U.S., for years, has been working with some of these countries to try to limit their cooperation militarily and economically with North Korea. Not sure that there will be a big deliverable as the White House calls it, on that front. But work will continue there, as well.

Michelle Kosinski, CNN, Rancho Mirage, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: We're turning now to Pope Francis's tour of Mexico. He has completed his third day there after presiding over mass before tens of thousands in Chiapas, Mexico's poorest, least Catholic state. Chiapas is also home to a largely indigenous population.

VAUSE: During the mass, which was read in three local languages, the Pope asked indigenous people for forgiveness for years of exclusion and destruction of their land. Over the next two days, he'll visit regions scarred by drug violence. His final stop will be in Juarez, on the -- on the border with the United States.

We have more details from Polo Sandoval.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

POLO SANDOVAL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This is where Pope Francis' final mass of his trip to Mexico will take place, the heart of the city of Juarez. Crews have been working around the clock, day and night 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 and symbolic 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 officials, 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 on 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, very important to Mexico, and of course highly debated right next door.

Polo Sandoval, Juarez, Mexico.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: Well, an epic tribute to one of music's biggest stars. Coming up, a look at Lady Gaga's Grammy performance honoring David Bowie.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:30:54] VAUSE: Welcome back, everybody. Just got to 10:30 on a Monday night. CNN NEWSROOM live from Los Angeles. I'm John Vause.

SESAY: I'm Isha Sesay.

The headlines this hour --

(HEADLINES)

VAUSE: To Syria, and hopes for a cease-fire are fading after a string of missile attacks on a number of hospitals and two schools.

SESAY: Dozens of civilians were killed and injured in the bombings in Aleppo and Idlib. The NATO calls them a blatant violation of international law. Turkey accused Russia of an obvious war crime but it's unclear who carried out the attacks.

VAUSE: The escalating violence in Syria is casting doubt over the so- called cessation of hostilities agreement.

Earlier, I spoke with former ambassador to Syria, Edward Djerejian. I asked him if it seems like the Russians are creating facts on the ground.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

EDWARD DJEREJIAN, FORMER AMBASSADOR TO SYRIA: I think the Russians are creating facts on the ground, to maximize their position and for Bashar al Assad's position on the ground. And to amplify the influence and the role they would have, if any political talks are initiated in the Geneva 3 setting. My basic feeling about this is Putin and the Russians are playing a weak hand very skillfully. Frankly, more skillfully than we are. And they are maximizing their political position in Syria. Frankly, to our disadvantage and to that of some of our allies. I think the time has come for the United States to play a much more assertive role in the muscular diplomacy that's needed now, to get an effective cease-fire, stop the killing, establish humanitarian corridors to start aiding the long-suffering Syrian people. And especially now, those in and around Aleppo. But we need to really step up to the plate in a much more assertive manner.

VAUSE: We've had this report now from medicines on border. One of the 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 the pot earn here, systemic attacks on Syria's health care facilities?

DJEREJIAN: Yes, it was because we've seen this in the past. And health facilities, they 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. And the ploy on the Russians and the Syrians, 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. You're getting the strikes against civilian areas because they are targeting areas where they think the Syrian rebel forces are present.

[01:35:10] VAUSE: We've leave it there. Thank you very much. We appreciate you speaking with us tonight.

DJEREJIAN: You're very welcome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SESAY: We've been hearing about the Syrian government's advances in the north. But it made gains in southern Syria.

VAUSE: CNN's Jomana Karadsheh spoke with a top opposition commander who says civilians are paying the price for Western inaction.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOMANA KARADSHEH, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Rolling through the rubble, regime forces declare victory in what's left of this town. After weeks of heavy fighting, Syrian rebels last month withdrew from this town that lies on an important supply route for government forces. Since then, another town was lost to regime forces.

(EXPLOSION)

KARADSHEH: Rebel commanders say Assad's allies in the sky have shifted the balance. With the air cover, regime troops are now retaking the border with Jordan, moves they I have merits advances in northern Syria.

BASHER AL ZUIDA (ph), COMMANDER FREE SYRIAN ARMY (through translation): we can only be the friends of the Syrian people, who are watching us getting killed day and night. The Russians claim to have come to Syria to fight ISIS. But most of the strikes have targeted the moderate opposition.

KARADSHEH: Bashar al Zuida (ph) is the top commander is fighting under the banner of the Free Syrian Army. His group will adapt and change tactics. But his concern is of the citizens living in fear. Tens of thousands of them, according to local officials, have fled in recent weeks.

(on camera): With Jordan citing security concerns, it's admitting 50 to 100 refugees a day. And there's 20,000 other on the country's northeastern border. Aide officials say it's unlikely those fleeing the violence would head towards Jordan. They're moving to towns and villages within the province. But unless there's a pause in violence, they warn, that could quickly change.

(voice-over): As for the ongoing peace talks, Zuida (ph) takes a dim view.

ZUIDA (ph) (through translation): We agree to go for a political solution. But where is that political solution? They are negotiating to allow for them basic human rights by work powers.

KARADSHEH: The United States needs groups like this as partners in the fight against ISIS. But this commander says his fighters need more than just words. They need weapons, desperately.

ZUIDA (ph) (through translation): Unfortunately, we are on our own with no intervention of the friends of Syria to help us. Most of the support comes from the regimes to kill. We hold Western countries, especially the United States, responsible for the humanitarian disaster, only the U.S. can stop the Russians.

KARADSHEH: Zuida (ph) says they have long lost faith in the international community. But with no alternative, they wait for help from countries they still call friends.

Jomana Karadsheh, CNN, Amman.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VAUSE: If you'd like to find ways to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees, logon to CNN.com/impact.

SESAY: Time for a quick break now. Coming up on NEWSROOM L.A., music's biggest stars turned out for this year's Grammy Awards. We'll look at the night's performances and winners, next.

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[01:41:49] SESAY: Pop star, Lady Gaga, generating a whole lot of buzz at this year's Grammy Awards with her extravagant tributes to David Bowie.

VAUSE: Gaga says the rock legend was a huge inspiration for her. She got a tattoo of David Bowie the day before the show. David Bowie passed away just last month.

SESAY: Stars turned out for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards here in Los Angeles. The night's three biggest prizes had three different winners.

VAUSE: Mark Runson (ph) and Bruno Mars took home the record of the year for "Uptown Funk."

SESAY: A British crooner was awarded song of the year for "Thinking Out Loud."

VAUSE: Pop princess Taylor Swift won the other big award, album of the year, for "1989."

SESAY: For more, we're joined by pop culture critic and lecturer at the University of Southern California, Miki Turner.

Thank you so much for joining us.

MIKI TURNER, POP CULTURE CRITIC & LECTURER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Thank you for having me.

SESAY: What did you think of the show?

TURNER: I thought it lacked energy. It lacked flavor. VAUSE: It was a little dull.

TURNER: Well, there you go. It was really dull. And it started off --

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: I said a little dull. You went really dull.

(LAUGHTER)

TURNER: The only thing that saved it was Kendrick Lamar's performance. Everything else was, really?

VAUSE: I think we have a little bit of the performance here. Why was this significant? Why was this the highlight?

TURNER: It was powerful. The bravest thing I've seen on television since Whitney Houston decided to be on "Me and Bobby Brown."

SESAY: It was visceral and raw.

TURNER: Visceral, yes. I think it's going to be a lot of interesting conversations.

SESAY: Where do you think that conversation is going to go? To get your thoughts?

TURNER: It's America. We're not talking about the Oscars anymore and its lack of diversity. But I'm hoping that, you know, people will try and understand what he is saying. And it will penetrate somehow. It will get through.

SESAY: The other big talk was the Gaga performance, in tribute to David Bowie. What did you think of that?

VAUSE: I thought it was -- some of the reviews said it was epic and amazing. Others say it was rushed.

TURNER: No, no. It was not epic.

SESAY: You do not think it was epic.

TURNER: I thought it was OK. She started out well. She started out with one of my favorite Bowie songs, "Major Tom." But -- what is the real name of that song? I can't remember.

SESAY: I think the line --

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: "Space Oddity."

TURNER: Right. But when she came out and took the cape off, I was like, oh, this is not going to go well from here on. And I thought maybe they should have included other people in that. I would have liked to see other people.

SESAY: Exactly. They did the Lionel Richie tribute and did a bunch of people. And that was a little off.

TURNER: They didn't flow together. You have Demi and Tyrese. And who is that?

(LAUGHTER)

SESAY: Who was that?

(LAUGHTER)

VAUSE: There was Justin Bieber.

I think we have some sound here. Tell me where are you now

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SESAY: Is he back?

VAUSE: He looks 12 years old.

SESAY: He does.

[01:45:14] VAUSE: His first Grammy. This is a big night. He's been through the wringer.

SESAY: You're looking a little skeptical here.

TURNER: What I appreciate about his performance, when his voice changed, he couldn't sing a note for a long time. He sounds better --

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: That's a good point. I didn't think about that.

TURNER: -- transitioning to his adult voice. But you know, I didn't mind him tonight. When he comes on, I just do something else.

VAUSE: Make some tea.

TURNER: I did watch the entire performance. And good for him.

SESAY: The big talk of the night is going to be Kendrick Lamar and what we see. And the question of whether you should use a stage like the Grammys to put out a political message.

TURNER: You have to, in these days and times. America is in total regression. So, somebody, you know, who has a platform, has to speak up. Not everybody needs to because not everybody is a leader.

(CROSSTALK)

VAUSE: Seeing the Grammys. We'll see it next week at the Oscars.

SESAY: See what Chris Rock does at the Oscars.

(LAUGHTER)

TURNER: I can't wait for that.

SESAY: I think there will be people running out when Chris Rock takes the stage. We'll see.

VAUSE: I'll report that.

SESAY: Thank you so much.

TURNER: It's been fun.

VAUSE: Taking center stage at the Grammys was a subject that's been a hot topic, diversity.

SESAY: I was on the red carpet and able to speak with a number of artists about the issue.

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SESAY: The biggest names in the music industry have gathered for the 58th Grammy Awards. Acclaimed Rapper Kendrick Lamar and pop superstar, Taylor Swift, generating the night's biggest buzz. But with diversity front and center on the minds of many, I spoke about the issue with the stars on the red carpet.

(on camera): How do you feel about the Grammy stage being used as a political message?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yeah. We should use our platform to say something. Hip-hop has been about delivering a political message, Public Enemy to Grand Master Flash. Use the Grammy platform. We have to do it on every level.

SESAY: What do you make about the politics and music? Some people had a hard time for Beyonce's formation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: My father wrote "Proud to be Black." I didn't get any flak from it. Everybody loved it. You can be proud of your heritage. You can make your music. You're supposed to be creative.

SESAY: Many people looking at how the recording academy deals with diversity and inclusiveness. What's your view on how music does?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There wouldn't be music if it wasn't diverse. This is a good representation of what people listen to on all kinds of radios.

SESAY: What's your view on using the Grammys to take a stand?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think every artist who has a voice or anybody who has celebrity, that celebrity is only as good as it can give over people happiness or give people opportunity. Every artist who uses their voice to speak to make humanity better is to me a hero. And those who don't, god bless them, I think it's great. I support artists making political or social statements and sharing their opinions with the world.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are people, human beings. So, we're not just buttons that you push. We are whole human beings. We're part of the society. And as a result, we have things that we want to say. We have things that we want to encourage people about. What makes celebrity have meaning is to be able to use it to encourage people, to move people forward. To speak to them, be the voice for the voiceless.

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SESAY: The voice for the voiceless. And Kendrick Lamar was at that. We were expecting something powerful. And he didn't disappoint. He did he was going to do something that was going to get people talking.

VAUSE: It does seem to be a recurring theme so far this year. There's been some sort of moment where this is now happening at so many of the big high-profile events.

We'll take a break. Next on CNN NEWSROOM, Kanye West's curious tweets about his debts and daring Mark Zuckerberg, give me $1 billion.

Just $1 billion.

SESAY: Just a billion.

[01:49:43] VAUSE: What's going on?

Back in a moment.

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VAUSE: Kanye West Kardashian has a fashion line and a new album, and appeared on "Saturday Night Live." But his posts on Twitter have critics and fans scratching their heads.

SESAY: I don't think that's his last name.

VAUSE: I'm sorry. I should fix the copy. Sorry, my bad.

SESAY: He declared himself millions of dollars in debt. And called on Mark Zuckerberg to invest $1 billion in his ideas.

"CNN Money's" Samuel Burke tells us that this story grows even more curious from there.

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SAMUEL BURKE, CNN MONEY CORRESPONDENT: This story just keeps on getting crazier and more and more inconsistent. Kanye West just tweeting, "Yes, I am personally rich. And I can buy furs and houses for my family." Not something that you would expect that just a few hours before that said they're tens of millions of dollars of debt.

We can't find evidence to suggest he is this deep in debt or at debt at all. With an entertainer, you have people filing lawsuits. And we don't see anything like that. On top of that, "Forbes" said two years ago, Kanye West was the 220th-highest-earning celebrity in 2015. He made $22 million. And on top of, that he's married to Kim Kardashian. She made over $52 million last year.

At the end of the day, North West and Saint West, their children, are going to be just OK.

Don't forget, he just released an album so he can go on tour soon. And he has an exclusive album deal with Tidal right now. It's available for one week. He probably got a premium for that. Tidal is doing really well. He is a co-owner. Because his album is available there, the Jay Z streaming service is the number one app in iTunes. He will be doing fine. And in case the music doesn't work, he has a fashion line and a video game coming out. He'll be OK.

Samuel Burke, CNN Money, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

[01:55:48] VAUSE: You can find out about Kanye West and other stories. Go to CNN.money.com.

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SESAY: You're watching CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Isha Sesay.

VAUSE: I'm John Vause.

And the news continues with 100 percent more Rosemary Church after this.

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