the inside story the inside story ray suarez hosts inside story ray suarez hosts inside story weekdays at 5 eastern weekdays at 5 eastern only on al jazeera america only on al jazeera america >> on "america tonight": >> on "america tonight": raising terror at home. raising terror at home. how a much-loved son found how a much-loved son found himself pulled to the other side himself pulled to the other side of the globe and into a world of of the globe and into a world of extremist fighters before his extremist fighters before his mother even realized it. mother even realized it. >> he said he finally found a >> he said he finally found a purpose, the life he felt where purpose, the life he felt where he belonged. he belonged. he wasn't coming home. he wasn't coming home. >> investigators warn the bid to >> investigators warn the bid to radicalize a new generation is radicalize a new generation is reaching into communities across reaching into communities across north america. north america. >> i don't buy into, i went to >> i don't buy into, i went to the internet, checked the the internet, checked the internet like he said, i am internet like he said, i am

going to be radicalized, i don't going to be radicalized, i don't buy that. buy that. you. you. >> sheila macvicar with an >> sheila macvicar with an exclusive interview with a exclusive interview with a mother who lost her child and mother who lost her child and fears many more at risk. fears many more at risk. also tonight as a steady also tonight as a steady stream of foreigners join up how stream of foreigners join up how the u.s. strategy against the u.s. strategy against i.s.i.l. is seen as an uneven i.s.i.l. is seen as an uneven and unfair fight. and unfair fight. >> how much suffering is there >> how much suffering is there in aleppo right in aleppo right now? now? >> every single people in aleppo >> every single people in aleppo have been killed by have been killed by shelling shelling . . bombings, everything, bombings, everything, everything. everything. >> at the turkish border >> at the turkish border correspondent nick schifrin with correspondent nick schifrin with an on the ground view of the an on the ground view of the fight against i.s.i.l. and why fight against i.s.i.l. and why there's so little hope for there's so little hope for salvation. salvation. and in the home stretch of the and in the home stretch of the race, to america votes 2014, race, to america votes 2014, they want your vote. they want your vote. your chance to say what you want your chance to say what you want from from them. them. #dear congress, how you can be #dear congress, how you can be heard. heard.

good evening, thanks for joining good evening, thanks for joining us. us. i'm joie chen. i'm joie chen. we begin with a pull we begin with a pull of of something so hard for some of us something so hard for some of us to understand, to understand, how kids born and how kids born and raised in the west, can be drawn raised in the west, can be drawn to ideology that strikes terror to ideology that strikes terror in the world. in the world. a lone a lone gunman taking his rampage gunman taking his rampage into parliament buildings two into parliament buildings two weeks weeks ago ago . . michael bibeau michael bibeau had been lured had been lured into violent jihad. into violent jihad. one of many. one of many. in our "america tonight" in our "america tonight" exclusive, our sheila macvicar exclusive, our sheila macvicar

gives us the exclusive of a gives us the exclusive of a mother who saw her child drawn mother who saw her child drawn into into terrorism. terrorism. >> first picture with santa >> first picture with santa ever. ever. >> look at the >> look at the bow-tie. bow-tie. >> christianne has memories of >> christianne has memories of her son damien. her son damien. growing newspaper calgary, growing newspaper calgary, damien was bright, into school damien was bright, into school sports cars, star wars. sports cars, star wars. but as a teenager things started but as a teenager things started to change. to change. >> i think he just was trying to >> i think he just was trying to find where he fit, it was find where he fit, it was difficult, he had struggles. difficult, he had struggles. and once he hit about 15 he and once he hit about 15 he started keeping more and more to started keeping more and more to himself, leaving the house less. himself, leaving the house less. >> at 16, damien dropped out of >> at 16, damien dropped out of school. school. he became reclusive and he became reclusive and depressed. depressed. counseling didn't help. counseling didn't help. >> the day after his 17th

>> the day after his 17th birthday he attempted to take birthday he attempted to take his own his own life. life. >> oh, boy. >> oh, boy. >> we didn't see it coming. >> we didn't see it coming. he seemed like he was getting he seemed like he was getting better. better. >> soon after, >> soon after, boudreau said boudreau said her her son converted to islam. son converted to islam. she was relieved. she was relieved. >> the emotional states, the >> the emotional states, the depression, when he converted to depression, when he converted to islam he found this peace within islam he found this peace within him. him. he would sit with the family and he would sit with the family and i could see that i could relax. i could see that i could relax. >> for three years, damien >> for three years, damien seemed happy, working at peace. seemed happy, working at peace. but then he moved to a new but then he moved to a new apartment and that brought him apartment and that brought him to this downtown mosque. to this downtown mosque. >> he must have met new people >> he must have met new people because that's when things because that's when things started to change. started to change. >> and how did they >> and how did they change? change?

>> there was more agitation >> there was more agitation within him. within him. he started he started talking about 9/11 talking about 9/11 conspiracy theories, other conspiracy theories, other countries and that countries and that wars they had wars they had there is. there is. >> there's damien raiding the >> there's damien raiding the fridge again. fridge again. >> this is the last video >> this is the last video boudreau last of her son boudreau last of her son drifting around a halloween drifting around a halloween party. party. the next month he traveled to the next month he traveled to the middle east. the middle east. he told his mother he was he told his mother he was studying linguistics in studying linguistics in egypt. egypt. >> that's damien. >> that's damien. >> instead the troubled >> instead the troubled 22-year-old went 22-year-old went to fight to fight alongside extremists in syria. alongside extremists in syria. boudreau had no idea until the boudreau had no idea until the canadian spy agency comes canadian spy agency comes knocking. knocking. >> so cecus comes into your >> so cecus comes into your house and start asking you house and start asking you questions. questions. >> i said i don't know why >> i said i don't know why you're asking these questions, you're asking these questions, damien's not in the country, he damien's not in the country, he went to egypt to go study. went to egypt to go study.

so he's not here, he's not a so he's not here, he's not a concern. concern. and that's when they said yeah, and that's when they said yeah, he's a concern. he's a concern. we've been watching him for a we've been watching him for a couple of years. couple of years. and we suspected that he's and we suspected that he's actually gone to syria not actually gone to syria not egypt. egypt. >> and with we now know that >> and with we now know that many other foreign fighters come many other foreign fighters come from this busy city in western from this busy city in western canada. canada. many of them attended the same many of them attended the same downtown mosque. downtown mosque. all of them were canadian all of them were canadian citizens. citizens. underring what took them on underring what took them on their journey from this city of their journey from this city of just over a million at the foot just over a million at the foot of the rockies to the of the rockies to the battlefields of syria battlefields of syria understanding their journey to understanding their journey to radicalization, is key to radicalization, is key to preventing others from following preventing others from following the same path. the same path. >> beset by someone who's got >> beset by someone who's got their their arm on their arm on their shoulder. shoulder. >> calgary police chief rick >> calgary police chief rick hanson says there's a problem in hanson says there's a problem in his city, his city, a human problem. a human problem.

>> i don't buy that he went to >> i don't buy that he went to the internet and got the internet and got radicalized. radicalized. i don't buy i don't buy that. that. >> in the era of social media >> in the era of social media there's a lot ever focus on the there's a lot ever focus on the internet, and radical internet, and radical organizations devote a lot of organizations devote a lot of time to the internet. time to the internet. >> they can be introduced to the >> they can be introduced to the ideology. ideology. >> this 40 year veteran of >> this 40 year veteran of policing trained in policing trained in counterterrorism believes the counterterrorism believes the internet alone doesn't create internet alone doesn't create would be terrorists. would be terrorists. >> you need someone to pull the >> you need someone to pull the strings strings communicating, communicating, encouraging, guiding him down encouraging, guiding him down the avenue the avenue of of indoctrination. indoctrination. >> have you found that person or >> have you found that person or those people in your city? those people in your city? >> no, we know they're there, >> no, we know they're there, we've been told they're there we've been told they're there and it has been and it has been members of the members of the islamic community that has said, islamic community that has said, you better be careful. you better be careful.

they're telling you they're not they're telling you they're not recruiting but they're giving recruiting but they're giving you radical messages. you radical messages. >> in your city? >> in your city? >> absolutely they've told us >> absolutely they've told us that, to be alert to this. that, to be alert to this. >> online, the >> online, the recruiter recruiter somebody calling himself somebody calling himself abu abu n-ajir, his real name no one n-ajir, his real name no one knows. knows. a rat cal american preacher a rat cal american preacher identified identified by the fbi as a by the fbi as a radical preacher. radical preacher. argued away his doubts and argued away his doubts and accompanied him saying we put accompanied him saying we put our trust in a our trust in a allah and headed to allah and headed to syria. syria. 130 individuals with canadian 130 individuals with canadian connections were abroad, adding connections were abroad, adding that it's possible that some that it's possible that some returnees could plan and carry returnees could plan and carry out terrorist attacks in canada. out terrorist attacks in canada. >> i got to tell you there's no >> i got to tell you there's no city in this country that's city in this country that's immune to this. immune to this. >> probably no city in the west. >> probably no city in the west. >> i totally 100% agree. >> i totally 100% agree. >> how to combat it, first says

>> how to combat it, first says chief hanson recognize that chief hanson recognize that radicalism comes from the same radicalism comes from the same place as other kinds of trouble place as other kinds of trouble like gangs and drugs. like gangs and drugs. and that's and that's alienation. alienation. >> when you profile kids that >> when you profile kids that deviate off of a path and get deviate off of a path and get into trouble whatever that into trouble whatever that trouble looks like the trouble looks like the motivation is frequently the motivation is frequently the same. same. they're alienated from they're alienated from mainstream and they start mainstream and they start looking for ways that they can looking for ways that they can feel part of something bigger feel part of something bigger than themselves. than themselves. >> his force is working on >> his force is working on crisis intervention with local crisis intervention with local muslim community leaders. muslim community leaders. >> what else do you want to >> what else do you want to achieve out of achieve out of life? life? >> like >> like clinical psychologist clinical psychologist matty matty kafka. kafka. >> our programs have the same >> our programs have the same goal, closely connected to goal, closely connected to youth, having connection with youth, having connection with positive and positive and meaningful role meaningful role models, all those factors reduce models, all those factors reduce the risk of crime. the risk of crime. you know exactly what you want you know exactly what you want and you know exactly how to get

and you know exactly how to get it, it, right? right? >> his three >> his three own organization own organization offers counseling and mentorship offers counseling and mentorship to muslim youth. to muslim youth. >> you've got that spiritual >> you've got that spiritual motivation, you're motivation, you're unstoppable. unstoppable. >> he says part of the solution >> he says part of the solution is just being there. is just being there. if you're alone and the first if you're alone and the first person that comes to you and person that comes to you and says, you know what i can help says, you know what i can help you end this loneliness you can you end this loneliness you can jump in. jump in. the devil himself can jump in. the devil himself can jump in. you are going to say, you know you are going to say, you know what i can't handle this what i can't handle this loneliness. loneliness. if there's one variable it is if there's one variable it is loneliness. loneliness. >> research is everywhere on >> research is everywhere on early intervention and what it early intervention and what it says is you have to steer them says is you have to steer them to something where they feel to something where they feel they have value. they have value. >> calgary's police force is >> calgary's police force is working in schools with kids as working in schools with kids as young as eight. young as eight. the part that's been missing the part that's been missing until now has been intervention until now has been intervention with posthigh school kids who go with posthigh school kids who go off the rails. off the rails. >> there needs to be the second >> there needs to be the second intervention piece. intervention piece. parents see it, family sees it, parents see it, family sees it, friends see it, they realize friends see it, they realize

something is happening but where something is happening but where do you turn to for that do you turn to for that intervention and that's the intervention and that's the second piece that's being second piece that's being developed here. developed here. >> that humanistic piece is >> that humanistic piece is missing. missing. >> 74th >> 74th boudreau wish -- boudreau wish -- support boudreau wishes she had. support boudreau wishes she had. >> without nothing there was >> without nothing there was reason to have concern you think reason to have concern you think he's young, he's going he's young, he's going head-deep, he'll level -- it head-deep, he'll level -- it will level itself off. will level itself off. >> i'll save it and send it out. >> i'll save it and send it out. >> to help other families >> to help other families boudreau has started a website boudreau has started a website based on a successful german based on a successful german program called program called hiat, hiat, originally originally done to done to deradicallize nazi deradicallize nazi youth. youth. >> definitely common threat, >> definitely common threat, common narrative. common narrative. they're coached. they're coached. there's no way that can you tell there's no way that can you tell me that all these kids from all me that all these kids from all these countries are all going to these countries are all going to say we're going to study in say we're going to study in either saudi arabia or egypt either saudi arabia or egypt

without having been coached. without having been coached. that's not a coincidence. that's not a coincidence. >> when she finally figured out >> when she finally figured out what was going on, boudreau what was going on, boudreau attempted to reach out to her attempted to reach out to her son. son. but it was too but it was too late. late. >> he said he couldn't come >> he said he couldn't come home. home. that he finally found a purpose that he finally found a purpose in life. in life. he found where he belonged. he found where he belonged. he wasn't coming he wasn't coming home. home. that was going to be his new that was going to be his new home. home. and he hoped he could stay in and he hoped he could stay in contact. contact. >> boudreau never heard from >> boudreau never heard from damien again. damien again. he was killed in syria in he was killed in syria in january january . . >> if i could help just one >> if i could help just one family not live the terror, the family not live the terror, the pain, the stress, everything pain, the stress, everything else that we've had to go else that we've had to go through, and save one through, and save one life, it's life, it's all worth it. all worth it. i've nothing left of damien. i've nothing left of damien. and the best i could do is try and the best i could do is try to do something good in his to do something good in his memory. memory.

>> "america tonight's" sheila >> "america tonight's" sheila macvicar with us. macvicar with us. and this is so timely because and this is so timely because just at this hour we're hearing just at this hour we're hearing reports of more teenagers being reports of more teenagers being lured from the states. lured from the states. >> this is a boy, 19 years old >> this is a boy, 19 years old who was actually arrested at who was actually arrested at o'hare airport earlier this o'hare airport earlier this summer with his yurn younger brr summer with his yurn younger brr and sister. and sister. he had bought he had bought tickets, arranged tickets, arranged passports for all of them to go passports for all of them to go to turkey and then go on to to turkey and then go on to syria and join up with islamic syria and join up with islamic state of iraq and the levant. state of iraq and the levant. he is held with very serious he is held with very serious charges. charges. his younger brother and sister his younger brother and sister are not charged but are not charged but potentially potentially he faces long years in prison if he faces long years in prison if the the prosecutor proves beyond all prosecutor proves beyond all reasonable doubt that he was reasonable doubt that he was heading for a heading for a radical radical organization. organization. when someone starts to deviate when someone starts to deviate off the straight path, it's all off the straight path, it's all the same, whether you're talking

the same, whether you're talking about gangs or drugs or about gangs or drugs or religious religious cult or religious cult or religious radicalization. radicalization. it is all the same thing. it is all the same thing. >> when children become >> when children become this. this. "america tonight's" sheila "america tonight's" sheila macvicar, thanks so much for macvicar, thanks so much for being here. being here. >> the view from on the ground >> the view from on the ground in syria when we return. in syria when we return. the u.s.-led air campaign and the u.s.-led air campaign and why communities on the ground why communities on the ground warn: it won't be enough to warn: it won't be enough to hold off i.s.i.l. hold off i.s.i.l. correspondent nick schifrin with correspondent nick schifrin with leaders who say kobani isn't the leaders who say kobani isn't the only community on the edge of only community on the edge of being overrun. being overrun. and that the u.s. must do more and that the u.s. must do more to stop to stop i.s.i.l. i.s.i.l. >> the truth, they are about the >> the truth, they are about the same issues, cared about in same issues, cared about in aleppo. aleppo. to be honest there's no true to be honest there's no true strategy which can you see. strategy which can you see. there is only the air strikes. there is only the air strikes. >> and right after the break we >> and right after the break we look into the home strej of look into the home strej of stretch of stretch of

america votes 2014, from the america votes 2014, from the pollsters pollsters and and prognosticators, prognosticators, as america heads to the polls. as america heads to the polls. >> election day stay with al >> election day stay with al jazeera america for live, jazeera america for live, in-depth coverage focusing on in-depth coverage focusing on the issues with expert analysis the issues with expert analysis and updates from across the and updates from across the country. country. midterm coverage that's serious, midterm coverage that's serious, straightforward and unbiased. straightforward and unbiased. tomorrow, 7:00 eastern. tomorrow, 7:00 eastern. on al jazeera america. on al jazeera america.

>> al jazeera america >> al jazeera america presents the best documentaries presents the best documentaries >> i felt like i was just >> i felt like i was just nothing nothing >> for this young girl, >> for this young girl, times were hard times were hard >> doris had a racist, >> doris had a racist, impoverished setting impoverished setting had a major impact had a major impact >> but with looks charm.... >> but with looks charm.... >> i just wanted to take care >> i just wanted to take care of my momma... of my momma... >> and no remorse... >> and no remorse... >> she giggles everytime >> she giggles everytime she steps into the revolving she steps into the revolving door of justice door of justice >> she became legendary... >> she became legendary... >> the finer the store, the >> the finer the store, the bigger the challenge bigger the challenge >> al jazeera america presents >> al jazeera america presents the life and crimes of the life and crimes of doris payne doris payne

>> and now on america votes >> and now on america votes 2014, these are the final hours 2014, these are the final hours for candidates to make their for candidates to make their pitch and in truth many pitch and in truth many americans have already made americans have already made their voices heard. their voices heard. early voting is ahead of where early voting is ahead of where it was in 2010 at the last mid it was in 2010 at the last mid term, more than 70 million term, more than 70 million voters will have cast ballots voters will have cast ballots before the polling places even before the polling places even open. open. while while prognosticators, feel they prognosticators, feel they can can tell us the tell us the spread of votes, spread of votes, what we're more interested in is what we're more interested in is what they will vote for. what they will vote for. number one what role will number one what role will minorities and women have in minorities and women have in this mid term race? this mid term race? especially interesting will be especially interesting will be voters in the deep south. voters in the deep south. georgia and north carolina where georgia and north carolina where there are there are razor thin senate razor thin senate races, target races to bring races, target races to bring more minority voters into the more minority voters into the fold. fold. democrats see an opening and democrats see an opening and even an opportunity to get out even an opportunity to get out enough of the minority vote not

enough of the minority vote not just african just african americans but americans but latinos and latinos and to to turn the state turn the state rack or purple. rack or purple. >> in reverse migration and the >> in reverse migration and the growth of latino and asian growth of latino and asian american voters in the state, american voters in the state, will end up yielding a state will end up yielding a state that's much more competitive at that's much more competitive at least from a partisan least from a partisan standpoint. standpoint. >> history tells us >> history tells us under-represented groups can and under-represented groups can and do turn out to vote. do turn out to vote. black women for example had the black women for example had the highest turnout of any group in highest turnout of any group in 2008 and 2012. 2008 and 2012. if they're motivated to do so. if they're motivated to do so. the question is: what will get the question is: what will get them to the polls? them to the polls? in the aftermath of flash point in the aftermath of flash point ferguson and the deaths of young ferguson and the deaths of young trayvon martin and jordan davis trayvon martin and jordan davis will minority voters find the will minority voters find the value of engaging in political value of engaging in political process? process? it it

is a guess of the left and is a guess of the left and right. right. number 2, will voter i.d. number 2, will voter i.d. laws, laws, voter suppression to others, voter suppression to others, tamp down those underrepresented tamp down those underrepresented voices? voices? just last just last week, an investigation week, an investigation by greg by greg palast, uncovered palast, uncovered irregulates irregulates irregularities, in more than one irregularities, in more than one state disproportionately tags state disproportionately tags minorities especially these with minorities especially these with common names. common names. >> there clearly is an effort to >> there clearly is an effort to suppress the votes of african suppress the votes of african americans and young people. americans and young people. elderly people. elderly people. clearly, there is a kind of clearly, there is a kind of partisan cherry picking that's partisan cherry picking that's going on. going on. >> so you're talking about >> so you're talking about probably over a million people probably over a million people that voted twice. that voted twice. >> but conservative activists >> but conservative activists

point to states point to states that carefully that carefully police their voter rolls. police their voter rolls. >> have you double bagged voters >> have you double bagged voters in the past years? in the past years? >> we have made referrals. >> we have made referrals. whether prosecutors have whether prosecutors have prosecuted, we don't have good prosecuted, we don't have good data on them. data on them. it's not like blanket going out it's not like blanket going out and arresting somebody, you have and arresting somebody, you have to push for a crime. to push for a crime. >> they are pushing for more >> they are pushing for more careful i.d. checks. careful i.d. checks. will that drive minority voters will that drive minority voters away? away? which raises the question of how which raises the question of how much will their votes much will their votes matter? matter? number 2 of the issues we will number 2 of the issues we will be watching, that control of the be watching, that control of the senate thing which by any senate thing which by any measure is a tough sell for measure is a tough sell for voters. voters. in a nonpresidential year, in a nonpresidential year, voters will focus on who they voters will focus on who they put in the state office or put in the state office or governor's office. governor's office. what senate candidates must what senate candidates must persuade voters of is the persuade voters of is the control of the upper house will control of the upper house will

make or break that legislative make or break that legislative gridlock, the folks at home have gridlock, the folks at home have seen time and again stymie real seen time and again stymie real action on issues that really action on issues that really affect them. affect them. which brings us to number 4: which brings us to number 4: what issues will get voters to what issues will get voters to the polls? the polls? is the fear factor a winning is the fear factor a winning strategy? strategy? that's what's driving spots like that's what's driving spots like this this . . candidates both democrats and candidates both democrats and republicans have pushed in these republicans have pushed in these last few weeks to make ebola a last few weeks to make ebola a campaign issue. campaign issue. democrats insisting america democrats insisting america would have been better prepared would have been better prepared for health crisis had it not for health crisis had it not been for republicans blocking been for republicans blocking their way. their way. republicans pointing to failures republicans pointing to failures of the obama administration and of the obama administration and by extension all democrats as a by extension all democrats as a sign of sign of incompetence. incompetence. >> proves and >> proves and showcased this showcased this president's lack of leadership president's lack of leadership and it hurts the democrats all and it hurts the democrats all the way down ballot especially the way down ballot especially in a mid term even in a in a mid term even in a presidential election. presidential election. >> more than anything ebola >> more than anything ebola

became not only arating became not only arating a ratings a ratings grabber, which brings us to the grabber, which brings us to the final issue of the mid term final issue of the mid term we're watching, number five: we're watching, number five: all that money. all that money. already this is the most already this is the most expensive mid term ever and with expensive mid term ever and with the possibility that some of the the possibility that some of the senate races will end up in senate races will end up in runoffs we can see campaign runoffs we can see campaign commercials running all the way commercials running all the way into january. into january. not only making tv stations not only making tv stations happy but raising the question: happy but raising the question: if it takes all this money for if it takes all this money for an off-year election how much an off-year election how much will it cost to elect our next will it cost to elect our next president president ? ? roland martin says the big roland martin says the big battles are now. battles are now. this is at mid term there is no this is at mid term there is no >> right. >> right. >> what happens now? >> what happens now? what's the think for a voter, what's the think for a voter, what gets them there? what gets them there? >> this is why the poll numbers >> this is why the poll numbers at 30% of americans don't even at 30% of americans don't even know the mid term is taking know the mid term is taking place because you don't have

place because you don't have that one that one unifying race. unifying race. 201016 legislatures flipped 201016 legislatures flipped to to total -- in 2010, 16 total -- in 2010, 16 legislatures flipped. legislatures flipped. voter suppression laws you saw voter suppression laws you saw stand your ground laws because stand your ground laws because washington is in total gridlock. washington is in total gridlock. and so really all the action is and so really all the action is on the state level. on the state level. that makes it harder, when you that makes it harder, when you have special interest groups, have special interest groups, because you have to go to 50 because you have to go to 50 different state legislatures as different state legislatures as opposed to simply going to opposed to simply going to congress. congress. so from a voter's standpoint, it so from a voter's standpoint, it is difficult because you're is difficult because you're dealing with all these different dealing with all these different individual things. individual things. and so what might be a critical and so what might be a critical issue in north carolina is issue in north carolina is different from georgia, different from georgia, different from louisiana. different from louisiana. and so although we and so although we keep hearing keep hearing republican and democrat it's republican and democrat it's knot that simple. knot that simple. >> so the -- not that simple. >> so the -- not that simple.

the voter at home doesn't focus the voter at home doesn't focus on, it is that simple. on, it is that simple. that's not that's not part of the equation. part of the equation. do i want this lady or that guy do i want this lady or that guy or that or that one. one. >> 15% of americans say they are >> 15% of americans say they are satisfied with republicans in satisfied with republicans in congress. congress. 90 to 95% are going to get 90 to 95% are going to get reelected because of jer reelected because of jer jerry jerry gerrymandering. gerrymandering. >> you can't change from one -- >> you can't change from one -- >> because you have been >> because you have been redistricted. redistricted. >> right. >> right. democratic or liberal districts, democratic or liberal districts, very few swing districts left. very few swing districts left. again though, that -- when did again though, that -- when did that change? that change? 2010 mid term elections, when 2010 mid term elections, when the census was taken again, when the census was taken again, when the districts were redrawn. the districts were redrawn. and so this is why mid terms are and so this is why mid terms are so important but also, from a so important but also, from a policy standpoint, the battle is policy standpoint, the battle is really not in d.c. really not in d.c. it is really in the state level. it is really in the state level.

the abortion law that was passed the abortion law that was passed in texas, same thing in in texas, same thing in mississippi when they said in mississippi when they said in order to do abortions you had to order to do abortions you had to hospital. hospital. >> if you look at ferguson, that >> if you look at ferguson, that is the place we learned how much is the place we learned how much local elections local elections matter. matter. >> and also after trayvon martin >> and also after trayvon martin was killed, that's where they was killed, that's where they found out with alec and their found out with alec and their influence on state election influence on state election returns, before trayvon martin returns, before trayvon martin no one knew what alec was. no one knew what alec was. part of the problems for part of the problems for democrats is they are in many democrats is they are in many ways a national party. ways a national party. whereas the republicans have whereas the republicans have focused on being a 50-state focused on being a 50-state party. party. howard dean told democrats we howard dean told democrats we better focus on a 50-state better focus on a 50-state strategy because they don't want strategy because they don't want to see a repeat of 2010. to see a repeat of 2010. that's part of the issue here. that's part of the issue here. you got so think bigger. you got so think bigger. the white house admitted they a the white house admitted they a strong situation in states in strong situation in states in 2012, in these red states guess 2012, in these red states guess

what now this hurts them when it what now this hurts them when it comes to election night because comes to election night because they didn't have are fractur they didn't have are fractur fractur fractur infrastructure on infrastructure on the the ground. ground. >> thank you for joining us. >> thank you for joining us. >> thanks so much. >> thanks so much. >> why the pebble deposit is a >> why the pebble deposit is a valuable valuable issue. issue. and when mid term elections are and when mid term elections are not enough. not enough. i.s.i.l. warns the u.s. air i.s.i.l. warns the u.s. air strikes are welcome but the strikes are welcome but the fighters won't be stopped fighters won't be stopped without more help on the ground. without more help on the ground.

>> amount now a snapshot of >> amount now a snapshot of stories making headlines on stories making headlines on "america "america tonight." tonight." brittany maynard the face of brittany maynard the face of right to right to life, ended her own life, ended her own life on life on saturday. saturday. she worked through a bucket she worked through a bucket list list

of adventures with her husband. of adventures with her husband. brittany brittany old. old. in the aftermath of shooting in the aftermath of shooting in ferguson, mar in ferguson, mar missouri, now a missouri, now a tape conversation obtained by tape conversation obtained by the associated press reveals the the associated press reveals the no-fly zone may have been no-fly zone may have been intended to keep news intended to keep news helicopters from covering the helicopters from covering the violent clashes between police violent clashes between police and protesters. and protesters. the white house now says the the white house now says the no-fly zone should not have been no-fly zone should not have been used to restrict media coverage. used to restrict media coverage. >> 13 years after the attack on >> 13 years after the attack on the twin towers, the worl worlde the twin towers, the worl worlde center is now reopen. center is now reopen. cost $4.9 billion to construct. cost $4.9 billion to construct. it has leased 60% of its it has leased 60% of its offices. offices. the new world trade center is the new world trade center is now now america's tallest america's tallest building. building. u.s. air strikes u.s. air strikes insists insists syrian air strikes in the syrian air strikes in the

north north were for kobani, aleppo intense were for kobani, aleppo intense coalition coalition seemingly seemingly impossible impossible to to stop stop it. it. al jazeera's nick schifrin has a al jazeera's nick schifrin has a story of two cities under siege. story of two cities under siege. >> on the syrian turkish border >> on the syrian turkish border as the sunsets, the funeral as the sunsets, the funeral march stretches a mile long. march stretches a mile long. they receive american help and they receive american help and flash v for victory. flash v for victory. they resist and even die proudly they resist and even die proudly and the commanders thank the and the commanders thank the u.s. for saving their city. u.s. for saving their city. >> translator: on the ground >> translator: on the ground the american air strikes the american air strikes hit hit their targets 80, even 90% of their targets 80, even 90% of the the time. time. >> reporter: 80 miles away in >> reporter: 80 miles away in aleppo emergency crews rush to aleppo emergency crews rush to the scene of a the scene of a massacre. massacre. they wear white helmets and they wear white helmets and respond to the bombs dropped by respond to the bombs dropped by the syrian government.

the syrian government. on many days they arrive too on many days they arrive too late. late. >> when you saw human being >> when you saw human being suffering you should do suffering you should do something, hold him save him try something, hold him save him try to do anything just to relieve to do anything just to relieve him. him. community to intervene and stop community to intervene and stop this. this. >> reporter: the u.s. policy >> reporter: the u.s. policy in syria is a tale of two in syria is a tale of two cities. cities. kobani where the u.s. backs kobani where the u.s. backs fighters with air strikes and fighters with air strikes and aleppo where the u.s. holds back aleppo where the u.s. holds back as the syrian government as the syrian government launches air strikes. launches air strikes. the man in charge of the syrian the man in charge of the syrian opposition says the u.s. opposition says the u.s. strategy is strategy is backward. backward. >> they are about the same >> they are about the same issues cared about in kobani issues cared about in kobani which happening now in aleppo. which happening now in aleppo. to be honest there is no true to be honest there is no true strategy which you can see. strategy which you can see. there is only the air strikes. there is only the air strikes. >> reporter: today the u.s. >> reporter: today the u.s. focuses on kobani. focuses on kobani. on one side, kurds fight with on one side, kurds fight with

assault rifles, some of them are assault rifles, some of them are women, all throughout man. women, all throughout man. on the other side i.s.i.l. on the other side i.s.i.l. fighters use american-bought fighters use american-bought tanks soanl from the iraqi army tanks soanl from the iraqi army as -- stolen from the iraqi army as -- stolen from the iraqi army as as cover. cover. destroying kobani's destroying kobani's infrastructure. infrastructure. the fighting sparked an exodus the fighting sparked an exodus to turkey. to turkey. 200,000 200,000 refugees, more than half refugees, more than half children. children. some of their families sleep in some of their families sleep in unfinished building. unfinished building. as winter approaches there will as winter approaches there will be no be no protection from the protection from the elements, for home, gas elements, for home, gas stations, gas pumps the only stations, gas pumps the only place your child can play. place your child can play. if you are three and syrian, if you are three and syrian, your country has been at war for your country has been at war for every day of your life. every day of your life. >> this is your home. >> this is your home. >> i.s.i.l. overran one of their

>> i.s.i.l. overran one of their homes then another then another. homes then another then another. as they fled their three month as they fled their three month old son was born and today this old son was born and today this 100 square foot room is home to 100 square foot room is home to ten people. ten people. >> does this feel like home at >> does this feel like home at all? all? >> of course not. >> of course not. our house was much better. our house was much better. it was like a villa. it was like a villa. we had everything. we had everything. we were happy, my husband had we were happy, my husband had work. work. we were comfortable. we were comfortable. we had everything. we had everything. >> reporter: to save kobani, >> reporter: to save kobani, the u.s. has launched over 200 the u.s. has launched over 200 air strikes that have killed air strikes that have killed over 500 i.s.i.l. fighters. over 500 i.s.i.l. fighters. that's allowed u.s. backed front that's allowed u.s. backed front line commanders to hold their line commanders to hold their ground. ground. >> this your headquarters? >> this your headquarters? >> kobani. >> kobani. >> we >> we brought mohamed brought mohamed mustafa to mustafa to a high ground. a high ground.

he showed me where his men were. he showed me where his men were. they build they build makeshift tanks with makeshift tanks with enthusiastic drivers. enthusiastic drivers. they were forced to come here they were forced to come here when i.s.i.l. overran when i.s.i.l. overran nearly 400 nearly 400 villages. villages. kobani is their last stand and kobani is their last stand and the only thing helping them is the only thing helping them is the u.s. air strikes. the u.s. air strikes. >> if it wasn't for the air >> if it wasn't for the air strikes it would be very hard. strikes it would be very hard. we are we are fighting fighting ferociously, how ferociously, how can can you you compare compare a a kalisnikof to kalisnikof to a tank. a tank. >> we can stand here freely and >> we can stand here freely and that means that the media has that means that the media has been able to report here during been able to report here during this entire fight. this entire fight. but while we've been focused but while we've been focused here, here, the assad regime has been the assad regime has been focused on the focused on the largest city in largest city in syria, syria,

aleppo. aleppo. >> the affairs dropped 210 >> the affairs dropped 210 bombs, the same number the u.s. bombs, the same number the u.s. launched in a month. launched in a month. many these terrifying many these terrifying canisters canisters called barrel bombs. called barrel bombs. they destroyed entire they destroyed entire neighborhoods. neighborhoods. neighborhoods that, for the u.s. neighborhoods that, for the u.s. backed moderate opposition are backed moderate opposition are much more vital than kobani. much more vital than kobani. >> what will happen on the front >> what will happen on the front lines if you don't get more lines if you don't get more american help on the ground? american help on the ground? >> i.s.i.l. will advance from >> i.s.i.l. will advance from the east and the yrnts the east and the yrnts government will government will advance from the advance from the south. south. to be honest the revolution will to be honest the revolution will end within a month. end within a month. >> 31-year-old hasan fights for >> 31-year-old hasan fights for control of northern control of northern aleppo. aleppo. they call themselves the fit they call themselves the fit legion. legion. u.s. helps pay for their u.s. helps pay for their ammunition. ammunition. the cia helps train their the cia helps train their fighters. fighters. if i.s.i.l. if i.s.i.l.

is to be defeated is to be defeated these are had the men to do it. these are had the men to do it. right now they're struggling on right now they're struggling on two fronts, inside aleppo city, two fronts, inside aleppo city, this is front line in september. this is front line in september. by october the 31st the regime by october the 31st the regime had captured had captured multiple areas multiple areas and and threatens to surround the city. threatens to surround the city. this is the cradle of the this is the cradle of the revolution and the syrian revolution and the syrian coalition is struggling and coalition is struggling and feels it has little u.s. help. feels it has little u.s. help. >> the air strikes went really >> the air strikes went really from the start without true from the start without true coordination between the coordination between the coalition coalition and the freams o free syrian and the freams o free syrian army on the ground and still army on the ground and still today. today. that that allows allows the government to the government to pound aleppo. pound aleppo. the violence is the violence is terrifying. terrifying. the syrian civil defense in the the syrian civil defense in the white hats are fearless. white hats are fearless.

they rush to every bomb site, they rush to every bomb site, even before the war two of even before the war two of teachers. teachers. >> how much suffering is there >> how much suffering is there in aleppo in aleppo now? now? >> every single people have been >> every single people have been killed by shelling all with killed by shelling all with guns. guns. blast cars, bombings, blast cars, bombings, everything, everything. everything, everything. >> 21 of their colleagues have >> 21 of their colleagues have been killed. been killed. 50 have been 50 have been injured. injured. but sometime they perform but sometime they perform miracles. miracles. in july they dug through a in july they dug through a collapsed building. collapsed building. they discovered a baby alive. they discovered a baby alive. these are the moments that these are the moments that despite all the death, the white despite all the death, the white helmets live for. helmets live for. >> it was incredible moment, >> it was incredible moment, incredible. incredible. we all cried, actually, all we all cried, actually, all cried because we save one life, cried because we save one life, a baby. a baby. >> and what happened to the >> and what happened to the boy's family? boy's family? >> all of them have been killed. >> all of them have been killed.

all of them. all of them. all of them. all of them. >> in kobani despite >> in kobani despite the u.s. the u.s. support the city's defenders support the city's defenders suffer heavy losses. suffer heavy losses. five caskets in five freshly dug five caskets in five freshly dug graves. graves. these days, these men and women these days, these men and women do this do this often. often. they erect head stones so they erect head stones so quickly the names are written in quickly the names are written in paint. paint. >> there will be burials >> there will be burials funerals and blood. funerals and blood. the blood will be knee-high. the blood will be knee-high. we need weapons. we need weapons. we need support. we need support. >> reporter: here, they still >> reporter: here, they still believe in the possibility of believe in the possibility of victory and it's not clear victory and it's not clear whether the u.s. strategy can whether the u.s. strategy can achieve achieve it. it. >> al jazeera's nick schifrin >> al jazeera's nick schifrin joins joins us us from the middle east,

from the middle east, can you talk to us about what's can you talk to us about what's happening there? happening there? >> these are the moderate syrian >> these are the moderate syrian rebels whom you saw in the piece rebels whom you saw in the piece there, whom the u.s. needs if there, whom the u.s. needs if they are going to defeat they are going to defeat i.s.i.l. i.s.i.l. they have given up many fights they have given up many fights al qaeda. al qaeda. there is three fronts, we went there is three fronts, we went into into fronts in the piece. fronts in the piece. what they tell me what they are what they tell me what they are saying to everyone who will saying to everyone who will listen is we need more help listen is we need more help because it is simply not coming because it is simply not coming fast enough. fast enough. and if you wait longer, if you and if you wait longer, if you don't help us more we're going don't help us more we're going to lose against the al to lose against the al qaeda-backed group. qaeda-backed group. we are going to lose to the we are going to lose to the regime. regime. how could you possibly expect us how could you possibly expect us to be fighting and defeating to be fighting and defeating i.s.i.l. on the ground? i.s.i.l. on the ground? that is what they are saying. that is what they are saying. they are really pushing the they are really pushing the alarm bells right now they are alarm bells right now they are not performing well on the not performing well on the ground. ground.

>> hang on here >> hang on here nick. nick. the president did promise the president did promise support, what happened to that? support, what happened to that? >> not just a little money this >> not just a little money this is half a billion to train all is half a billion to train all the syrian rebels. the syrian rebels. i asked the head of the syrian i asked the head of the syrian coalition, he said it's just not coalition, he said it's just not going to going to work, it's too slow. work, it's too slow. six, seven, eight months from six, seven, eight months from even graduating the first even graduating the first fighter. fighter. that gives you a sense that gives you a sense of of how how methodical the u.s. has methodical the u.s. has been. been. whereas this group has lost two whereas this group has lost two of their main strong holds of their main strong holds against the al qaeda backed against the al qaeda backed group. group. they don't have time to fly they don't have time to fly people to saudi arabia to vet people to saudi arabia to vet them train them and fly them them train them and fly them back back into syria. into syria. that is the state of the battle, that is the state of the battle, there's not a lot of trust among there's not a lot of trust among these moderate rebels for the these moderate rebels for the united states. united states. they feel the u.s. has not

they feel the u.s. has not coordinated in terms of those coordinated in terms of those air strikes. air strikes. you heard them criticize the you heard them criticize the u.s. for, and simply not pick u.s. for, and simply not pick the right targets not fast the right targets not fast enough. enough. they said look guys this takes a they said look guys this takes a long time, we're not sure we long time, we're not sure we trust you, these are the guys trust you, these are the guys who are going to defeat i.s.i.l, who are going to defeat i.s.i.l, if they don't feel they get if they don't feel they get enough help from the u.s. they enough help from the u.s. they say we are not going to be able say we are not going to be able ground. ground. >> al >> al jazeera's nick schifrin jazeera's nick schifrin reporting, thanks. reporting, thanks. after the after the break, break, the the ballot ballot and "america and "america tonight"'s michael tonight"'s michael okwu, the issues facing voters okwu, the issues facing voters in the northern most state. in the northern most state. >> they're talking about jobs, >> they're talking about jobs, you're seeing three, four people you're seeing three, four people on every boat and they've been on every boat and they've been doing it for years and their doing it for years and their families have been doing it for families have been doing it for years and it's a life line of

years and it's a life line of alaska. alaska. >> a rare visit to alaska's >> a rare visit to alaska's pebble mine and look at how it pebble mine and look at how it may play at the polling beet. may play at the polling beet. @@8

recovery from 9/11. recovery from 9/11. when we see you at the top of when we see you at the top of the hour. the hour. >> as america votes 2014, most >> as america votes 2014, most of the attention is focused on a of the attention is focused on a handful of key senate races, handful of key senate races, yet, ballot initiatives, one of yet, ballot initiatives, one of the least likely is in alaska. the least likely is in alaska. the state long known for its the state long known for its friend lin friend lin friendliness. friendliness. "america tonight's" michael okwu "america tonight's" michael okwu traveled to the wilds of alaska traveled to the wilds of alaska for a firsthand look at what's for a firsthand look at what's at stake and now he's telling at stake and now he's telling us, there's more to it. us, there's more to it. >> buried in these hills is a >> buried in these hills is a treasure worth half a billion

treasure worth half a billion dollars. dollars. the mother load is known simply the mother load is known simply as pebble deposit. as pebble deposit. pebble contains the largest pebble contains the largest untouched reserve of copper in untouched reserve of copper in the world. the world. some 80 billion pounds of it some 80 billion pounds of it along with thousands of tons of along with thousands of tons of gold. gold. mike heatwall is with the pebble mike heatwall is with the pebble partnership, the mining company partnership, the mining company that intends to unearth the that intends to unearth the fortune. fortune. >> infrastructure and >> infrastructure and transportation for 700 transportation for 700 million, million, struck about an 86-mile road. struck about an 86-mile road. what we have is significant what we have is significant deposit that could be mined for deposit that could be mined for generations. generations. >> reporter: if you haven't >> reporter: if you haven't heard of bebl that's no heard of bebl that's no surprise. surprise. -- pebble that's no surprise. -- pebble that's no surprise. its remote location keeps it its remote location keeps it from the public eye. from the public eye. 250 miles southwest of 250 miles southwest of anchorage, it's accessible only anchorage, it's accessible only by air. by air. become a become a heated political and heated political and legal legal battle. battle.

>> there is minerals below us. >> there is minerals below us. >> pebble would >> pebble would be no ordinary be no ordinary mine. mine. according to company documents according to company documents getting the metal out of the getting the metal out of the ground will mean digging one of ground will mean digging one of the largest open pit mines on the largest open pit mines on the the planet. planet. >> there are doubters out there >> there are doubters out there that say just the sheer size of that say just the sheer size of this project makes it impossible this project makes it impossible that you could do something out that you could do something out here and have it not adversely here and have it not adversely affect affect you. you. >> part of size though adds to >> part of size though adds to the opportunity to the opportunity to have the have the financial resources to be able financial resources to be able to do it right. to do it right. and getting it right is a and getting it right is a critical part of our message. critical part of our message. >> so what you're saying is, >> so what you're saying is, size doesn't matter? size doesn't matter? >> mines have to meet >> mines have to meet environmental criteria. environmental criteria. the environmental standards are the environmental standards are the environmental standards the environmental standards across the spectrum. across the spectrum. >> reporter: it's not just >> reporter: it's not just pebble's size that has many pebble's size that has many clanalaskans upset. clanalaskans upset.

it's the location. it's the location. the mine would sit at the head the mine would sit at the head awards of one of the world's awards of one of the world's most important salmon most important salmon spawning spawning grounds. grounds. critics say critics say not not good. good. >> bustling activity as the >> bustling activity as the fleet intends to out to sea. fleet intends to out to sea. around here around here snooks moor is a snooks moor is a legend. legend. she's been fishing the waters she's been fishing the waters off of alaska since she was a off of alaska since she was a teenager. teenager. >> just a little chaotic. >> just a little chaotic. >> despite two knee replacement >> despite two knee replacement and a pair of shoulder and a pair of shoulder operations she's still going operations she's still going strong. strong. >> what do you hear when you >> what do you hear when you hear the words pebble mine? hear the words pebble mine? >> fear. >> fear. fear. fear. for what's going to for what's going to happen. happen.

it will be the beginning of the it will be the beginning of the end. end. >> moore and pretty much >> moore and pretty much everyone else in everyone else in dillingham, dillingham, consider pebble nothing more consider pebble nothing more than an than an compensatio compensatio existential existential threat. threat. >> moore was part of a tour the >> moore was part of a tour the company gave local business company gave local business people. people. >> i was neutral until they flew >> i was neutral until they flew me up and set me down and said me up and set me down and said the river doesn't flow here, it the river doesn't flow here, it comes out about two miles down. comes out about two miles down. i thought where the heck do you i thought where the heck do you think the water's coming from? think the water's coming from? it didn't take me long to say it didn't take me long to say you guys are out of your you guys are out of your minds. minds. >> the fishing industry has >> the fishing industry has

spent nearly $1 million spent nearly $1 million lobbying lobbying for measure 4. for measure 4. no polling has been done on the no polling has been done on the measure and whether it will pass measure and whether it will pass tuesday is anyone' anyone's gue. tuesday is anyone' anyone's gue. with the ballot measure up for with the ballot measure up for grabs, native alaskan groups in grabs, native alaskan groups in bristol bay are hoping the epa bristol bay are hoping the epa will put a stop to the mine. will put a stop to the mine. each summer the salmon return to each summer the salmon return to bristol bay. bristol bay. each summer native alaskans come each summer native alaskans come to catch them. to catch them. >> pull it to get your slack. >> pull it to get your slack. >> this >> this subsistence fishing will subsistence fishing will help sustain kim williams and help sustain kim williams and her family through long alaskan her family through long alaskan winter. winter. >> why is the pebble mine a bad >> why is the pebble mine a bad idea in your view? idea in your view? >> every mine that we've looked >> every mine that we've looked at where they've had a miner at where they've had a miner where they've said that no toxic where they've said that no toxic waste will go through this waste will go through this liner, they all leak, it's in liner, they all leak, it's in the wrong the wrong location it's up where location it's up where

fish spawn and it's bad for fish spawn and it's bad for bristol bristol bay. bay. >> go ahead light it. >> go ahead light it. >> under a special provision of >> under a special provision of federal law several tribal federal law several tribal leaders near bristol bay asked leaders near bristol bay asked the environmental protection the environmental protection agency to stop pebble from going agency to stop pebble from going forward saying it is a threat to forward saying it is a threat to their way of life. their way of life. williams was one of them. williams was one of them. >> your mother taught you how to >> your mother taught you how to do this? do this? >> my grandmother taught me how >> my grandmother taught me how to do it. to do it. >> this is a tradition, goes >> this is a tradition, goes back how long? back how long? >> thousands of years. >> thousands of years. i can't imagine oday where my i can't imagine oday where my kids or my grand kids or my kids or my grand kids or my great great grand kids can't put up grand kids can't put up salmon. salmon. >> argue it would have >> argue it would have significant and irreversible significant and irreversible impacts impacts on the bristol bay on the bristol bay salmon, the agency salmon, the agency is also is also proposing severe restrictions on proposing severe restrictions on the the mine, restrictions that mine, restrictions that would kill it. would kill it. the mining company says the the mining company says the epa's conclusion is epa's conclusion is

scientifically unsound and scientifically unsound and actions illegal. actions illegal. since the company has not filed since the company has not filed for a permit. for a permit. it has filed several lawsuits it has filed several lawsuits against the agency. against the agency. as strongly as native groups in as strongly as native groups in the the bristol bay area oppose the bristol bay area oppose the mine others closer to the site mine others closer to the site support it. support it. lisa lisa rhymers is the rhymers is the ceo of the ceo of the company. company. >> you sold and delivered fuel >> you sold and delivered fuel to the pebble partnership right? to the pebble partnership right? >> yes. >> yes. >> how was business? >> how was business? >> business was going well. >> business was going well. >> rhymer's company sells fuel >> rhymer's company sells fuel and runs construction equipment. and runs construction equipment. biggest employer at pebble at biggest employer at pebble at one point providing 100 workers one point providing 100 workers site. site. >> there are people who live in >> there are people who live in these villages that need jobs these villages that need jobs and not everybody goes fishing. and not everybody goes fishing. >> the village with 100 year >> the village with 100 year

round residents is typical of round residents is typical of the small communities that dot the small communities that dot the interior of alaska. the interior of alaska. job opportunities are job opportunities are scarce. scarce. winters winters brutally harsh with brutally harsh with little opportunity for little opportunity for subsistence hunting or fishing. subsistence hunting or fishing. >> what happens to this >> what happens to this community if this mine doesn't community if this mine doesn't go forward? go forward? >> if this mine is not built >> if this mine is not built we're starting to look at that we're starting to look at that question. question. is it going to shut down like is it going to shut down like the other community that have the other community that have nothing going on? nothing going on? this community could die. this community could die. >> rarmd >> rarmd regardless of regardless of whether whether alaskans alaskans approve ballot measure approve ballot measure 4, there is no doubt some day a 4, there is no doubt some day a mine will be built on this side. mine will be built on this side. the ballot measure aside the epa the ballot measure aside the epa tells "america tonight" that it tells "america tonight" that it will issue its restrictions will issue its restrictions sometime between january 2nd sometime between january 2nd at the earliest and february at the earliest and february 4th of 2015. 4th of 2015. keep in mind the agency may not keep in mind the agency may not decide to issue any restrictions decide to issue any restrictions

at all but insiders say at all but insiders say the the likelihood of that is extremely likelihood of that is extremely rare. rare. joie. joie. >> michael, a very big senate >> michael, a very big senate race is also underway in alaska. race is also underway in alaska. how is the pebble mine going to how is the pebble mine going to impact that race? impact that race? >> reporter: well, you know, >> reporter: well, you know, it's really unclear at this it's really unclear at this point. point. what we know is since 1964 what we know is since 1964 alaska has been a pretty red alaska has been a pretty red state but 54% of the electorate state but 54% of the electorate is not affiliated with any party is not affiliated with any party and they have a proud and they have a proud independent streak and what they independent streak and what they say is all people rally around say is all people rally around one central i-and that is the one central i-and that is the issue of issue of the -- central idea and the -- central idea and that is that the federal that is that the federal government government issuing issuing orders in orders in local affairs. local affairs. the the the the local stalls any kind of local stalls any kind of growth in business. growth in business. now is that message now is that message resonating? resonating? one could argue that perhaps it

one could argue that perhaps it is. is. but you can't but you can't yet say yet say conclusively. conclusively. what we also know joie is that what we also know joie is that poll after poll shows that a poll after poll shows that a great many alaskans 60% or great many alaskans 60% or higher oppose this mine at this higher oppose this mine at this site at this time. site at this time. which is why senator beggish who which is why senator beggish who beg itch beg itch ha ha ich hasbeen very vocal. ich hasbeen very vocal. and both men are in a and both men are in a statistical dead heat with statistical dead heat with begich is trailing occasionally begich is trailing occasionally a point or a point or two. two. >> "america tonight's" michael >> "america tonight's" michael okwu. okwu. thank you very much. thank you very much. our special election night our special election night coverage begins at coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. eastern. eastern. join us then. join us then. you tweeted and we you tweeted and we answered. answered. what to most americans want for

what to most americans want for their votes, their votes, better pay, more better pay, more jobs? jobs? e future of our state

>> for straight forward >> for straight forward unbiassed political coverage... unbiassed political coverage... stay with al jazeera america stay with al jazeera america >> by now you've suffered >> by now you've suffered through the commercials you've through the commercials you've gotten the endless row bow-calls gotten the endless row bow-calls

endless robo called. endless robo called. return? return? that is what "america tonight" that is what "america tonight" set out to find in our digital set out to find in our digital project which is called #dear project which is called #dear congress. congress. digital digital producer producer asmat khan has asmat khan has been track these responses. been track these responses. one thing that stands out people one thing that stands out people noticed how much money is going noticed how much money is going into the races this time. into the races this time. >> joie we received 1,000 >> joie we received 1,000 responses and most of them 13% responses and most of them 13% was a and i was a and i a demand to get money a demand to get money out out of of congress. congress. whether a demand to whether a demand to repeal repeal citizens united, people think citizens united, people think this is the issue that needs to this is the issue that needs to get done in order for congress get done in order for congress to take action an other issues. to take action an other issues. >> just to make a >> just to make a point, point, citizens united is what cranked citizens united is what cranked up the spend on it. up the spend on it. congress. congress.

>> there is a lot of anger >> there is a lot of anger fueled by a belief that it is fueled by a belief that it is unproductive. unproductive. 12% of our respondents just 12% of our respondents just wanted congress to grow up and wanted congress to grow up and get things done. get things done. compromise. compromise. one of my favorite responses one of my favorite responses was, act like was, act like well based well based kindergarteners and not spoiled kindergarteners and not spoiled congress members. congress members. belief that congress is more belief that congress is more beholden to special interest beholden to special interest groups instead of the people groups instead of the people they represent. they represent. they want career politician term they want career politician term limits. limits. >> you mean you can't serve your >> you mean you can't serve your whole political career? whole political career? >> you can only be a politician >> you can only be a politician for so long. for so long. another 5% wanted congress to another 5% wanted congress to resign. resign. one of my favorite responses was one of my favorite responses was this one. this one. dear congress i want your job dear congress i want your job your paycheck your free health your paycheck your free health coverage and i'll be in my seat coverage and i'll be in my seat to vote, i guarantee it. to vote, i guarantee it. it is a belief these are fat it is a belief these are fat cats getting a salary and not cats getting a salary and not really doing their job. really doing their job. >> and to underscore that, a lot >> and to underscore that, a lot of the respondents are concerned of the respondents are concerned

about those pocketbook issues, about those pocketbook issues, that we've been told about. that we've been told about. >> absolutely, economic issues >> absolutely, economic issues ranked really highly. ranked really highly. a demand that education and a demand that education and higher education in particular higher education in particular be made more affordable as well be made more affordable as well as a demand that congress raise as a demand that congress raise the minimum wage to a living the minimum wage to a living wage, in fact some even said wage, in fact some even said they wanted congress to be given they wanted congress to be given a salary of the minimum wageto a salary of the minimum wageto so they know what it's like. so they know what it's like. >> they can learn to live as >> they can learn to live as many people in america do. many people in america do. digital producer asmat khan, digital producer asmat khan, thank you very much. thank you very much. you don't want to miss out on you don't want to miss out on the election coverage, kick off the election coverage, kick off 7:00 eastern. 7:00 eastern. that's it for us, thanks for that's it for us, thanks for joining us. joining us. >> consider this: the news of >> consider this: the news of the day plus so much more. the day plus so much more. >> we begin with the growing >> we begin with the growing controversy. controversy. >> answers to the questions no >> answers to the questions no one else will ask. one else will ask. >> why did so many of these >> why did so many of these people choose to risk their people choose to risk their lives? lives? >> antonio mora, award winning >> antonio mora, award winning and hard hitting. and hard hitting.

>> people are dying because of >> people are dying because of this policy... this policy... >> there's no status quo, just >> there's no status quo, just the bottom line. the bottom line. >> but what is the >> but what is the administration doing behind the administration doing behind the scenes? scenes? >> real perspective, >> real perspective, consider this consider this on al jazeera america on al jazeera america >> america's mid terms will have >> america's mid terms will have a full run down of the states a full run down of the states that will determine control of that will determine control of the senate and coverage of the senate and coverage of critical issues that will affect critical issues that will affect the outcome. the outcome. and why can't most politicians and why can't most politicians seem to tell the truth? seem to tell the truth? hello i'm hello i'm antonio antonio mora, welcome mora, welcome to "consider this," those to "consider this," those stories and much more straight stories and much more straight ahead. ahead. >> the president was heckled by >> the president was heckled by hispanic activists. hispanic activists.