Transcripts For CNNW Wolf 20160128 : vimarsana.com

Troops. Its not an endorsement of Donald Trumps candidacy. Im still running for president. We have the caucus since monday night. Im delighted to join donald trump in an effort to salute veterans. And you know what i didnt have anything going on at 8 00 tonight. Ill be done. So i figured why not. Lets show the veterans our support. 8 00 central, 9 00 p. M. Eastern. Was there a phone call from donald trump, or one of his aides to you . Did you make the phone call to them . Walk us through how this decision came about. Well i didnt talk to him. I dont know if some of our folks maybe mentioned to him or their folks reached out to us. I know that there were some conversations over the past day or so. And, you know we said we would love to come and be part of an event that honors our veterans. Theyre some of the most underappreciated undersupported people in the country. And when we found out that donald was going to be having an event for them sure were ready to come and be part of that. Are you worried, governor that attending this trump event at the exact same time that the republicans president ial candidates are having their prime time debate that it could be seen as an affront to the republican candidates on the major stage . No not at all. Because, you know, im not invited to the main stage. I would love to have been on that stage. I think i should have been on that stage. But, you know im going to be on a stage earlier. You know if theyre not sitting out in the audience watching me i dont feel any compulsion that i, you know have to be there for that debate. And quite frankly, as i say, im free at 8 00. So i offered, by the way, wolf i would take his podium at the 8 00 debate and, you know that was rejected. So i said okay well ill find Something Else to do at 8 00 and thats exactly what ive done. Whats your opinion, i guess thats the word. Whats your opinion of Donald Trumps decision to boycott that main prime time Republican Debate because of his ongoing feud with fox news . Well look i worked at fox news six and a half years. Those are my friends. I love those folks. I love megyn kelly. So im not going to get into the middle of whatever issue he has with them. Its not my issue. I dont have an issue with them. But i have an issue with veterans. I really feel like these guys are getting hosed. And theyre coming back with pts, and theyre waiting months months to get treatment they deserve. 22 veterans a day commit suicide. And every american out to be outraged over that. So if in some small way my going to that event will just give a little more interest and focus to the fact that this is an important part of what our country ought to be doing for vets then im happy to stand with donald trump tonight on that. You know to be honest with you, im not sure that i would be willing to do this with every one of the republican president ial candidates to go to one of their events. But ill do it with donald trump. I respect him, i like him. Weve had a great relationship. And were competitors in this race but were still colleagues towards some issues and veterans is one of them. I was just reading a little item by david brody of the christian broadcasting network. You know him, i know him. Hes well plugged in with you, with donald trump. Hes already speculating you as a possible Vice President ial running mate if donald trump does get the republican nomination. What do you think of that . Well gee, i thought you were going to ask me would i pick donald trump to be my running mate when i get the nomination. Thats how that is supposed to be worded wolf. So lets back that up and talk about would i name him. Would you . Hes be on the list sure. As i say, i like him. I think he struck a nerve with a lot of people. We have different issues and different emphases but when im looking at my options, if donald trump gets the nomination and he goes up against hillary you know were all with trump. If hes against bernie were with trump. Thats not a hard one. Ive been saying all along that i would go with donald trump every day of the week twice on sunday rather than any of the democrats that are running against any of us republicans. You seem to be more comfortable with donald trump correct me if i am wrong than senator ted cruz. Is that right . Well you know, there are some positions senator cruz has taken that i cant figure out, because i feel like there are different ones he takes in marshal town iowa than he takes in manhattan. And thats disconcerting to me. I want people to be straight up stand up. I dont want them to change their view because of geography. And i also worry that ted cruzs financing comes from the same corporate big business goldman sachs, citi bank Hedge Fund Billionaire circle that gives us the politicians that we always have. And thats why the policies never change. We get the same kind of results, whether its democrats or republicans. And i think there are a lot of americans who need to understand that if you continually elect people who are essentially financed by the corporatists and by big business, youre going to have the same results every time. Doesnt matter what the speeches are, the political ads are. And i think there comes a time in this country where we need to fight for those folks standing on their feet all day working hard. Ill take that more in line with donald trump than ted cruz. On the veterans issue, which i know is very important to you, trump has set up a website, donald trump for vets. Com inviting people to donate. Have you checked into that . Do you know where that money is actually going to go to which veterans organizations . Im not sure. Ill know by tonight. And i will be making a personal contribution to veterans organizations to be part of the event. That wasnt something that was required of me. Its something that i would believe just the right thing to do because standing up for veterans is something we all should do as americans. One Veterans Group says they want nothing to do with trumps money or the event. And ill read to you this is an Organization Iraq and afghanistan veterans of america. They tweeted this. We need strong policies from candidates not to be used for political stunts. Thats from paul rieckhoff, head of the organization. Your reaction. I havent read it. Im not familiar with the organization. And so i would simply say, you know to each his own. But i feel like its a sincere effort on Donald Trumps part. He has been outspoken in his support for veterans as i have. And, you know im not going to question his integrity about making this all the money. Donald trump doesnt need the money, im sure hes not going to take a cut. Im confident all the money will go to help veterans organizations, and ultimately to help veterans. You sound like youre getting closer and closer to actually endorsing donald trump. But i know youre not ready to do that yet. Youre still in the contest. Monday night. How well do you have to do in the Iowa Caucuses. Eight years ago you won the Iowa Caucuses. How well do you have to do this time in order to keep on going in New Hampshire, South Carolina and beyond . You know wolf sometimes youll say there are three tickets out. But it really has to do with where people place. If first place is 20 points ahead of second and thats 20 points ahead of third, it may be there are only two tickets. But at first, second and third and fifth place even are within ten points of each other you know there could be five or six tickets out of iowa. So it has more to do with who sort of exceeds expectations. And i know a lot of people feel ted cruz is going to win. Thats what the pundits seem to say. So if somebody gets close to him or beats him, i think people have as much to lose as they have to gain in the iowa caucus. And we never know. Iowa people dont typically take their voting instructions from the pundits on the east coast, and every four years, they come out and surprise people and they vote in ways that nobody was looking for. Thats what were still hoping for on monday. One final question before i let you go just to be precise. On the issue of the pro front runners, at least according to polls in iowa Ted Cruz Donald trump, is ted cruz he was born in canada. But do you believe he is a naturalborn citizen, eligible to run for president . I mean the honest answer is i dont know. I think that there are legitimate questions that have been raised not people like me because im not a constitutional scholar. But people who are legitimate constitutional scholars have raised this as a legitimate issue. And look for his sake it needs to be settled. But the one thing i know is having been born in Hope Arkansas it is absolutely with certainty that i tell you that weve already established that a person can be born in Hope Arkansas and serve as president. So that much were clear about. Well bill clinton was born in Hope Arkansas. A lot of our viewers will remember that as well. And i assume you believe in a place called hope as well. Governor the former governor of arkansas Mike Huckabee thanks very much for joining us. My pleasure. Thank you, wolf. Lets bring in our cnn political commentators democratic strategist donna brazil republican s. E. Cup. What do you think . Your reaction to the decision by governor huckabee to actually forego watching even the prime time Republican Debate instead heading over to Donald Trumps veterans event. I know governor huckabee a long time i love governor huckabee and i do not question nor should anyone question his sincerity when he talks about caring about the troops. In addition to that, there is a lot going on right now. Governor huckabee is not on the main stage. So as you said hes got nothing to do at 8 00. There is no loss for him by going over to trumps event which will get some viewers from the fox debate hell get on television. And thats good for governor huckabee. Lets also not forget that governor huckabee and ted cruz are running for the same kinds of voters in iowa. So any time governor huckabee can contrast with ted cruz or put himself on the opposite side of any issue or any moment thats good for governor huckabee. Hes right that ted cruz has changed his mind on a lot of things. I find it very suspicious that suddenly since this race ted cruz is like the same oldsame old politician. I dont think anyone would have called him that just less than a year ago. But i think this is more about governor huckabee positioning himself against ted cruz and eating into some of the spotlight that he otherwise cant really get right now. Donna, what do you think . First of all, its a new bromance so im very excited to see the republicans have found a new couple. But look the truth is without donald trump being on the main stage tonight, the other candidates will finally have an opportunity to get their message across, and perhaps be the center of attention. This is a key moment for our caucus voters and they are known to throw banana peels in the path of the front runners. So i think its a mistake for donald trump. Maybe this is another unconventional rule that hes trying to establish. But truly, the veterans deserve a lot of praise a lot of support, a lot of resources. I dont know if donald trump newfound love for veterans will last but clearly he makes a contrast with the other guys on the stage. Clearly not governor huckabee but some other rivals are ripping into Donald Trumps decision to not attend the Republican Debate. I want you to listen to some of them. I think hes very much afraid of questions about his bankruptcies. Maybe afraid about the fact that hes actually never voted in a republican president ial primary. Apparently mr. Trump considers megyn kelly very, very scary. This is not a show. This is serious. We cannot lose this election. We have to turn this country around now. We cannot wait. So s. E. Is that a preview of what we might be hearing tonight at that Republican Debate . I sure hope so. Just because trump isnt there, i still hope that the republican candidates in addition to, youre right finally getting to talk substantively about their policy differences, do take shots at trump. I mean the whole idea that trump is a victim in this is so preposterous and frankly, its so against brand. I mean his whole modus operandi is to be im the tough talker. Im the one who is not going to back down from a fight. Everyone else theyre soft theyre too nice. And hes crawling away from this fox debate because megyn kelly hurt his feelings. I think it looks really petulant and childish and i hope every candidate on stage tonight says just that. But it wasnt just megyn kelly, it was a few statements that fox news put out Public Relations wise really demeaning donald trump. Normally he says stupid how stupid people are. How stupid the press release. Im surprised hes decided not to show up. Wolf as you well know there are a lot of undecided voters that could go either way in the closing days. Who 40 in iowa. To avoid a fox news debate . Cnn, i wouldnt have bought that either. But to avoid it at a time when people are making up their minds i think is a risky strategy. Look the other candidates should take advantage of the moment that donald trump will not be suck up all of the oxygen so to speak. Thank you very much. Well watch that later tonight. Up next the very different story were following in the Washington Post reporter jason rez neigh getting emotional. And the u. S. Government is devicing a plan to fight the virus. Stay with us. Jake reese, day to feel alive jake reese, day to feel alive jake reese, day to feel alive lets get these dayquil liquid gels and go. But these liquid gels are new. Mucinex fast max. Its the same difference. This one is max strength and fights mucus. Mucinex fast max. The only cold and flu liquid gel thats maxstrength and fights mucus. Lets end this. I accept im not 22. I accept i do a shorter set these days. I even accept i have a higher risk of stroke due to afib a type of irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem. But i wont play anything less than my best. So if theres Something Better than warfarin im going for it. Eliquis. Eliquis reduced the risk of stroke better than warfarin plus it had significantly less major bleeding than warfarin. Eliquis had both. Thats what i wanted to hear. Dont stop taking eliquis unless your doctor tells you to as stopping increases your risk of having a stroke. Eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding. Dont take eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. While taking eliquis you may bruise more easily. And it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop. Seek immediate medical care for sudden signs of bleeding eliquis may increase your bleeding risk if you take certain medicines. Tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. I accept i dont play. Quite like i used to. But im still bringing my best. And going for eliquis. Reduced risk of stroke plus less major bleeding. Ask your doctor. If switching. To eliquis is right for you. You both have a perfect driving record. Perfect. No tickets. No accidents. That is until one of you clips a food truck ruining your perfect record. Yup. Now, you would think your Insurance Company would cut you some slack, right . No. Your insurance rates go through the roof. Your perfect record doesnt get you anything. Anything. Perfect for drivers with accident forgiveness Liberty Mutual wont raise your rates due to your first accident. And if you do have an accident our claim centers are available to assist you 24 7. For a free quote call Liberty Mutual at switch to Liberty Mutual and you could save up to 509 call today at see Car Insurance in a whole new light. Liberty mutual insurance. The Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian spoke publicly today for the First Time Since his release from an iranian prison earlier in the month. An emotional rezaian joined post executives and secretary of state john kerry at the post grand opening at its new headquarters in washington, d. C. Rezaian briefly described his time at an iranian prison before thanking those who worked for his release. Im honored to be a part of this ceremony marking the next chapter in the history of the Washington Post. For much of the 18 months i was in prison my iranian interrogators told me the Washington Post did not exist, that no one knew of my plight. And that the United States government would not lift a finger for my release. Today im here in this room with the very people who helped prove the iranians wrong in so many ways. Each day since my release, i learned more about the efforts to gain our freedom, which began the moment yegi and i were taken from our home and continue on in support of our reintroduction into the world. There are so many people to thank. Very emotional. Joining us now are chief National Security correspondent jim sciutto. Youre there at the Washington Post. The new building. The First Insight were getting from Jason Rezaian. Were thrilled hes out and he spoke about his treatment, spoke more about his treatment in iran. Reporter thats right. And you heard him there saying that his captors did their best to remove any hope saying to him that the Washington Post didnt exist any more. That the u. S. Government wasnt doing anything to gain his freedom, which, of course we know is not true. But he inside that prison often in solitary confinement, did not. This is a very powerful method of psychological torture i have heard iran used with other captors, as well. We heard this from amir hekmati, being told the same. And the pride you heard jason express that pride as he was on the podium saying in fact i know that you were fighting for me. And that borne out, of course as we see him come out today. These are his first words since he was freed from iran. But him also doing his best you saw him to even poke fun with a sense of humor as he stood in front of the crowd here he said this is of course the first time ive been in front of a crowd in a while. Something in reference to his solitary confinement, of course a painful time physically and mentally taxing. But doing his best to put a smile on. It was a happy moment here. But as you saw there, wolf an emotional one too. And he wasnt the only one fighting back tears. Secretary of state john kerry on stage. He had a couple moments as well fighting back those tears. He got emotional at one point, didnt he . Reporter he did, no question. And hes a veteran, of course. We know that john kerry, a vietnam decorated veteran. And he described it in those terms. Saying just like in the military you dont leave any soldier behind. As america, this country doesnt leave an american behind. Heres how the secretary of state put it. Obviously, this is particularly sweet for everybody now that jason is home. In the military as you all know and in other dangerous calls, the most sacred pledge you can make is to never leave a buddy behind. Like most pledges, its a lot easier to say than to do. Secretary of state john kerry also gave some details about those final hours in iran. You and i have talked about it wolf. Cnn has reported it. That that plane was meant to take off on saturday a week ago, but then they had this 12hour period which the secretary described as nerveracking, when they couldnt find jasons wife yegi or his mother. We learned later they were being held by the iranian government. They didnt want them to go. Secretary of state john kerry, i believe this is the first time we have heard a u. S. Official say this that he was only told that by the Iranian Foreign minister zarif, who called them and said we cant find yegi and jasons mother. They did with some lastminuteman ufrg. Another 12 hours, that plane took off. But even up until the final moment no one involved was sure this would end as it did and thankfully it was a happy ending wolf. Thats why the president of the United States waited until that sunday to address the american people. He didnt want to speak while that plane that swiss plane was still on the ground in tehran. Were thrilled that Jason Rezaian and his family are out of iran. Jim sciutto, thanks very much. Up next an explosive outbreak of a dangerous virus now as a Health Official is issuing new warnings. Were going to find out what theyre saying about the spread. Stay with us. The zika virus is spreading explosively across the americas according to the world health organization. 23 countries and territories are now on high alert for the potentially deadly virus. Transmitted by mosquitoes its blamed for a sometimes crippling birth defect. Some doctors are even going to far as to tell women to postpone getting pregnant. Cnns Shasta Darlington spoke to the mother of one of 4,000 babies affected across brazil. Reporter she was so excited, but the birth of her second child left her more alone than she could have imagined. At three months Luis Phillippe has a big appetite just like her first baby but he was born with a small head and brain damage, microcephaly. People here react like hes got some contagious disease, she says. There was no warning. Doctors only detected the disorder after he was born. What gives me strength is the love i feel for him, she says. Luis phillippe will need to be cared for his entire life. So shes doing this three times a week now, taking her son to physical therapy, and yet she goes back to work in march. Its not clear how she is going to do this. And shes the only person in her family who has a job. Here in the state, we have seen the heart ache and financial burden this is putting on families. More than 4,000 cases of newborn microcephaly have been reported in brazil since zika was detected less than a year ago. A third of them are here where babies and moms face endless jabs and tests. Dr. Angela haush, one of the first to make the link between zika and microcephaly. Translator these babies have brain damage to differing degrees, which means inserting this generation into society is going to be very complicated, she says. Reporter Research Continues to establish a cause and effect with the zika virus. Spread by the same mosquitoes that transmit yellow fever and den den dengue. There is no vaccine or cure. All the effort has been put on prevention by having the population of these people under control. Reporter 200,000 troops now going door to door eliminating the stagnant water that serves as the mosquitoes breeding ground and educating families. The Health Ministry admits its been losing the war against the mosquito. And motherstobe across brazil see their moment of hope turned into a moment of unbelievable anguish. Shasta darlington cnn, brazil. Here in the United States there are now 31 cases of the zika virus across 11 states and in washington, d. C. Here to talk about this is the director of the National Institute of allergy and Infectious Diseases dr. Anthony fauci. Dr. Fauci, thanks very much for joining us. Some say out there right now there are reports that we could be as far as what ten years away from a vaccine to combat this virus . Is that right . Well, its usually takes a few years in order to get a vaccine that goes to the full process of being tested and approved. But were accelerating the early part of that and were putting together a protocol right now, literally as we speak, where well have a product that hopefully we will get into whats called early phase one testing to determine if its safe and if it induces a response that you would predict would be protective. And we are likely going to get into that phase one trial within the calendar year of 2016. So were moving very quickly on that. To get ultimately an approved safe and effective vaccine will likely take several years. I dont think its going to be ten years. Thats a bit long wolf. I think its more like three to five years. What can the world do right now to stop the rapid spread of this disease . Good question and theres a good answer to that. And that is mosquito control. Vector control. The enemy here is the mosquito. And if you can control the mosquito eliminate the mosquito you can do an awful lot to containing and curtailing this epidemic. And you do it by several ways. You do it by insectsides and you do it by removing standing water in little pots or tires or what have you. And, in fact the brazilian government is putting a fullcourt press on in getting some of the troops to go in and do that kind of a cleanup. Theyre being very aggressive about it. The other approach is mosquito avoidance. In other words be very careful when you go out. Wear longsleeved clothes, shirts that go up to the neck, and wear insect repellant to prevent the mosquitoes from biting. So either protect yourself against the mosquito or the government and the community destroys the mosquito. Thats the approach right now that we need to do. Good advice as usual, from dr. Fauci. Thanks very much for joining us. Good to be with you. Up next more breaking news in the race for the white house. We have just learned that another republican president ial candidate will join donald trump at the veterans event later tonight. First it was Mike Huckabee you saw him live here on cnn. Now another candidate getting ready to join trump. Youre going to find out who that is when we come back. Thanks. [ male announcer ] fedex® has solutions to enable Global Commerce that can help your company grow steadily and quickly. Great job. mandarin cut it out. See you tomorrow. This is joanne. Her long day as a hair stylist starts with shoulder pain when. Hey joanne want to trade the all day relief of 2 aleve with 6 tylenol . Give up my 2 aleve for 6 tylenol . No thanks. For me. Its aleve. You both have a perfect driving record. Perfect. No tickets. No accidents. That is until one of you clips a food truck ruining your perfect record. Yup. Now, you would think your Insurance Company would cut you some slack, right . No. Your insurance rates go through the roof. Your perfect record doesnt get you anything. Anything. Perfect for drivers with accident forgiveness Liberty Mutual wont raise your rates due to your first accident. And if you do have an accident our claim centers are available to assist you 24 7. For a free quote call Liberty Mutual at switch to Liberty Mutual and you could save up to 509 call today at see Car Insurance in a whole new light. Liberty mutual insurance. Were also now learning that yet another republican president ial candidate will attend Donald Trumps veterans event later tonight in competition with the main gop president ial debate. Rick santorum the former opinions senator, will attend the trump event. Hell be joining, by the way, our Brooke Baldwin live during the 3 00 p. M. Eastern hour to explain his decision. Earlier, Mike Huckabee was here with me. He explained why he will go from the socalled undercard debate to Donald Trumps prime time event honoring and trying to raise money for veterans. Listen to what governor huckabee told me just moments ago. You know im not invited to the main stage. I would love to have been on that stage. I think i should have been on that stage. But, you know im going to be on a stage earlier. You know if theyre not sitting out in the audience watching me i dont feel any compulsion that i, you know have to be there for that debate. And quite frankly, as i say, im free at 8 00. So i offered, by the way, wolf i would take his podium at the 8 00 debate. And that was rejected. So i said okay well ill find Something Else to do at 8 00 and thats exactly what ive done. Joining us now on the phone is bill bennett, the National Radio talk show host former secretary of education. Old friend of bill. Thanks very much for joining us. First of all, what do you make of huckabees decision santorums decision to go to the donald trump veterans event. What a year huh . Well theyre free at 8 00. Thats what were into this year. They have no reason to go to the main debate. Theyre miffed they would rather be at the main debate and im sure theres diffracting from the main debate. I know youre upset with the way fox has handled the issue. Tell us why. I am upset. You know i have i love people at fox. I have a lot of dear friends there. But you know that fox, like cnn, like anyone can never depart from its posture of impartiality. And what they did here was gave an excuse to donald trump to exit the debate. There was a Statement Issued by fox. Ive talked to some people at fox. They dont know who issued it. But it did come out, and talked about donald trump being irritated by megyn kelly. Wait until he runs into putin in the ayatollah. This is making fun of trump, being very snarky toward trump. And be again, they should never depart from that posture of impartiality. You stand there and you hear candidates attack you or attack the network, and, you know you have to stand there and take it, and say, okay okay. And be impartial. But to come back gave trump the opportunity to leave. He said why should i go on a debate on a network that so clearly has it in for me. And that statement gave him that ground to do. Have you, bill endorsed or supported, come out in favor of any of these republican candidates yet . No i have not. There are several there i like. I also like tom cotton but hes not running. No were talking ill have them on the show on my radio show and interviewing them. And im trying to just give an honest analysis here. But i just think this was a big mistake by fox. And im sorry to see them do it. And you think trump was right as a result of that statement that fox put out to go ahead and boycott the debate . I think you know as i said from the beginning, wolf i thought he should have participated. Actually he does pretty well in these debates. You know he can handle megyn kelly, and anyone else. I dont think its about that. But he had some reason he wanted to get out. This certainly gives him the ground. And hes going to draw a lot of attention. I was asking my listening audience this morning, wolf what are you going to do . What are you going to watch . Are you going to watch fox or are you going to watch somebody else . I assume you guys are probably going to cover trump, arent you . So what are you going to watch, bill . Back and forth. Thats what we have clickers for, wolf. All right. I suspect a lot of people will be doing that as well. All right, bill bennett, good to have you here back on cnn. Thanks very much for joining us. Thank you, wolf. Coming up Bernie Sanders releases his medical records. Were going to tell you what they reveal about the health of the 74yearold president ial candidate, just as a new poll shows him gaining right now on Hillary Clinton in iowa. Thats coming up. Democratic president ial candidate, Bernie Sanders, re releasing his medical records as we count down to the Iowa Caucuses monday night. A letter from his doctor declares the 74yearold sanders to be in Overall Good Health without limitation. The announcement comes as a brandnew poll from Monmouth University shows senator sanders closing the gap with Hillary Clinton in iowa. He trails her now by just five points. A month ago, it was 22 points. Today both candidates are ramping up their events across iowa. This map showing all the places where sanders and clinton and Hillary Clintons husband, the former president , bill clinton, are campaigning today. Our senior washington correspondent, jeff zeleny is joining us now from iowa. Jeff you had a chance to speak with senator sanders a while ago. Not only about his medical records, but also about the back and forth over whether to have more democratic debates. What did he tell you . Reporter wolf we did. For all the anticipation for the Republican Debate tonight, there is a question mark hanging over the democratic debates. Well now Hillary Clinton yesterday said she wants to hold a debate next week in New Hampshire. It was not on the schedule at all. But she, of course, sees how tight the race is there. We asked senator sanders today what his thoughts were. I just cant understand why secretary clinton wants to change the rules. And have a debate in New Hampshire next week. Now, my feeling is as somebody who from day one has said as youve heard me say, i want more debates. I love debates. I think its good for the process. So what we have said to secretary clinton, you want more debates, thats great. We propose to do at least three more debates after New Hampshire. But she cant just dictate the rules of the game. These were rules i had nothing to do with. Established by the dnc. Which most people perceive to be differentic to her. Now, you know shes falling apparently behind in New Hampshire, wants to change the rules. But we are willing to say, if she is willing to do a number of debates later on reporter if shes not, you will not be in New Hampshire next week. Thats right. Reporter she also says she wants real action not gridlock. She says youll bring more gridlock to washington. The idea that i cant work with republicans is nonsense. Where there has been Common Ground i have worked with republicans for decades. In the last session of congress probably the major piece of legislation passed was comprehensive Veterans Health care legislation. I was chairman of the veterans committee. I worked with people like john mccain and others in the house to pass it. So it is nonsense to suggest that i cant work with republicans. Reporter and youre releasing your medical records. You say youre in very good health. How do you feel . I feel great. Reporter good fighting form. Your letter was not as dramatic as Donald Trumps. I know. My doctor is not his is not quite as dramatic. Hes a more sober guy. But thank god i am in very good health. That of course was a reference to trumps own medical report from his doctors, just a few weeks ago. His doctor said he would be the most helpful person ever to serve as president. Sanders was a little more medical, if you will. He is the oldest president ial candidate. He would be the oldest president to serve, six years older than Ronald Reagan if he were to be elected here. The bottom line on all this is senator sanders says if she agrees if secretary clinton agrees to debates in march, april and may, he will agree to a debate next week. So were going to have to see how all this unfolds as the Iowa Caucuses happen then of course into the New Hampshire primary the following week wolf. All right, jeff thanks very much, good work. Jeff zeleny reporting from iowa. By the way, ill be speaking with Hillary Clinton later today as she campaigns across iowa. Well talk about the race. Well talk about the debates. Senator sanders. A whole lot more. My interview with Hillary Clinton coming up into the situation room at 5 00 p. M. Eastern, only here on cnn. Still to come well take you live inside syria to hear how antiisis fighters are accepting the challenge. As peace talks are supposed to begin in switzerland. Stay with us. 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Police say the man was carrying at least two guns ammunition and a copy of the corun but they say as of right now the Police Departments Counterterrorism Department is not yet involved in the investigation. Well update you when we get more information. At least one arrest right now. A woman still on the loose. Lets go to syria right now. A country ravaged by isis and civil war. Our Senior International correspondent Clarissa Ward has been traveling through syria right now. Shes one of the very few western journalists to go there. Courageous enough to do so. Clarissa is joining us live from northern syria. A place very few westerners have had an opportunity to see firsthand. Describe what youre seeing there and what youre hearing. Well wolf were here in the northeast of the country with the Syrian Democratic forces. That force, made up primarily of kurdish fighters. They have been enjoying some significant successes on the battlefield against isis. Pushing the militants both to the south and to the west. But now, wolf its getting a little more complicated for them as they come out of kurdish areas and into arab areas. As we saw today, we visited a town called allhal. It is completely deserted. Its been liberated for about two months. When isis was pushed out, all the arab residents left the town along with isis. That is because many of them have real misgivings about living under what they would deem to be kurdish occupation. I know thats really hard for our viewers to get our heads around because as we were wandering around the town much of it had been flattened by air strikes and by fighting. We saw an isis bomb factory with an extraordinary amount of munitions. Many of them home made explosives. Land mines. And yet these residents have largely chosen to leave this village along with isis. I think that really gives you a feel wolf for the complexion sectarian dynamics were seeing here at play in syria and the challenges groups like the democratic fores which do have arab fighters but are primarily kurdish fighters are up against as they push into this stronghold stronghold. Peace talks are trying to put an end to this deadly civil war. Theyre supposed to begin tomorrow in geneva switzerland. These kurdish fighters are playing a major role now. Whats their view of the talks in geneva . Well wolf the kurds are absolutely furious about these talks because theyre not invited. Even though they have a significant chunk of territory here in the northeast of the country. Even though they really are the u. S. And the coalitions main ally on the ground in the fight against isis they view these talks as prioritizeing regional interests over the future of syria. They say that minorities such as the kurds and the christians are largely being ignored. One commander even told us wolf he felt particularly disappointed with the u. S. Because of all the support militarily that the kurds have provided in the fight against isis and he said that military support and that alliance with the coalition is now in jeopardy jeopardy. Because the u. S. Has not pushed harder to get the kurds a seat at the table. But of course the problem here really is turkey thats another key u. S. Ally. Turkey views the kurds as a serious threat to its National Security and the turks have said if the kurds are present at the negotiateing table, we simply wont attend those talks at all. Wolf. Clarissa ward reporting from northern syria, be careful over there. Well check back with you. Excellent work for all of our viewers, thank you. 73 seconds we wont forget happened 30 years ago today, january 28 1986 the day that the world watched the 25th Space Shuttle mission end in disaster. The shuttle challenger was making its tenth vowageyage to space. We all listened as the commander said roger, go throttles up. The challenger disintegrated into a fireball. Lost that day with commander scobey Mission Specialist ronald mcnair, ellison onozuka and judith resnick. Also payload specialist and School Teacher turned structural christa mcauliffe. Deepest condolences all these years later. Thats it for me. Ill be back 5 00 p. M. Eastern in the situation room. My interview at that time with former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. The news continues next on cnn. Wolf blitzer, thank you so much my friend. Great to be with you on this thursday. Im Brooke Baldwin. We begin with donald trump. You know what he has sold out that fundraising event out of the showdown with fox news. Tonight, instead of taking center stage, the final debate before the crucial Iowa Caucuses trump promises he will be on his own stage, raising money for veterans. Two of his competitors in this republican field actually plan to join him. Were going to get to that in moments. Well be talking to one of them. All of this is the latest in this republican frontrunners