Hillary Clinton Meets with Black Lives Matter Representatives
BLITZER: Hillary Clinton met with representatives of the Black Lives Matter movement and other activists, and we have a video of her leaving the meeting. And aides described it as important and part of an ongoing conversation. She is trying to shore up the African-American and Latino voters. And Congressman Xavier Becerra, of California, is a Clinton supporter. Congressman, thanks very much for joining us. Let's talk about what is going on. She has had tough encounters with the Black Lives Matter spokesmen, shall we say, and how would you describe her relationship with that movement?</s>REP. XAVIER BECERRA, (D), CALIFORNIA: At the end of the day, you will find within the African-American and Latino community, she will have strong support and overwhelming support as she becomes the next president of the United States. She has the experience and the record to verify that she is doing to do what most Americans want us to do including those of color.</s>BLITZER: Also at a congressional national caucus last night, she was heckled by a protester who said that Clinton, on various issues, was wrong on the various sensitive subjects, including incarcerations, prisons involving Hispanics, and listen to this.</s>HILARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE & FORMER SECRETARY OF SATE: Tonight, I am introducing somebody who is just like that --</s>CLINTON: -- a wonderful man that I have had the privilege of knowing, Chef Jose Andres.</s>CLINTON: I have known Jose --</s>BLITZER: And she was obviously introducing Chef Andres, but at the same time, this heckler or protester kept shouting out. You were there and how did it go?</s>BECERRA: I was a table away from him, and the operative word in what you said, Wolf, is a protester, and one. This is a hall of several thousand people, and most of them cheering for Secretary Clinton and one protester. The great thing about the country, the free speech is allowed around the country, and while I disagree with what the young man was saying, he had a right to say it, and he was asked to leave in a peaceful way. It was a great show to see so many people talk and the issues so important, and great to have Secretary Clinton with us, and hitting the right chords when it came to what Latinos were hoping to see.</s>BLITZER: You just heard a Bernie Sanders supporter say that if Vice President Biden jumps into the race he'll take more votes away from Hillary Clinton than Senator Sanders. How do you deal with the vice president if he announces he is in the contest?</s>BECERRA: The vice president is one of the best we've got out there, and he deserves to make a decision, and whatever he decides I think a lot of folks feel like he has earned to do whatever he wishes to do. But I decided to support Hillary Clinton because I believe she is going to be the best person in America to be our next president, and I fully believe that she will become the next president, regardless of who her competition is. I think she'll go at it. She is not someone who backs down from any kind of fight. I think she's proven that over the years. She always comes out on top. She is as tested as you get. I find there is no one who is better tested whether in foreign hot spots or here in tough races at home. She'll come out on top. I'm going to do everything I can. In fact, next week, I'll be in New Hampshire trying to make sure that we pull out as many people to be there for Secretary Clinton, not just early, but often.</s>BLITZER: Why is she increasingly distancing herself from President Obama on several sensitive issues?</s>BECERRA: I wouldn't classify it as distancing herself, Wolf. I think she is telling you who she would be as president, which is what everyone expects, right? We want to know who you will be he when you become the next president of the United States. Tell us where you stand, whether it's on trade, whether it's on war, whether it's on education or health care. Tell us where you are, not where you were when you were working for someone who is very important, not where you were when you were in the White House as first lady. Tell us where you would be as president. And I believe Hillary Clinton is doing a marvelous job of telling America, this is who I am and this is where I'll be.</s>BLITZER: Xavier Beccera is a Hillary Clinton supporter. As I said to Ben Cohen, a Bernie Sanders supporter, Hillary Clinton is lucky to have you on her team. Thanks very much for joining us.</s>BECERRA: Thanks, Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Only four days away from the first Democratic presidential debate Tuesday night. You'll have a chance to see all the Democratic candidates debate the issues. CNN, Facebook. The Democratic presidential debate only here on CNN. We'll take a quick break and be right back.