MSNBC "The Ed Show" - Transcript: Ferguson, Missouri

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SCHULTZ: Congressman, are you concern that if there is no indictment and there is some trouble in Ferguson, Missouri that it could spillover on other cities in America?

CLEAVER: Well, I think that is a possibility at the Congressional Black Caucus meeting today. We were all discussing this issue and what could we do. And I think that it is the belief that depending on how the police in Ferguson -- and the National Guard for that matter handle what`s going on in Ferguson could ignite something around the country.

Or, if things -- if they`re able to maintain order in a way without making it look like (inaudible), then I think we might be able to avoid any, you know, friction to the point where people are getting injured.

The protest probably will occur around the country. I think the police in Ferguson can determine what`s going to happen around the country.

SCHULTZ: OK. Well, I have to follow up another question on that. If you`re talking about it in a Congressional Black Caucus, what role does the Congressional Black Caucus see that it might have when it comes to influence to keep the peace?

CLEAVER: I`m not sure that we have any influence. I think -- and this is important Ed. I`m glad you asked this question. Understand that I`ve met with the -- a number of young African-American leaders, but this is a new group of folk. They are different than the John Lewis and the Julian Bonds of the 1960s and `70s.

These young people are not going to be redirected by ministers or by members of Congress or the Missouri General Assembly. I mean these folks are angry because they`ve seen many people in their age group shot and -- for no reason and the sense that they were unarmed. And I think this is the like -- their last stand is like, we`ve got to stand up at some place and say this is enough and it just happens to be Ferguson.

So, you know, we`re not going to be able to -- as a Black Caucus go in and say, "OK,let`s hold it down." Now what we can do and what we plan to do is after -- when the spring comes, we`re going to do massive voter registration so that we can change the whole nature of Ferguson municipal government.

SCHULTZ: Sure.

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SCHULTZ: Congressman, would it be appropriate for the President of the United States to make a statement before the results of this grand jury are released?

CLEAVER: No, I don`t think so. I don`t think we have to do that to the President of the United States because this President has been accused of being some kind of African-American militant when he just says that word -- he could say that car is black and he`s in troubled.

SCHULTZ: OK.

CLEAVER: So, I don`t think he had to get involved in it -- now, we had a meeting scheduled over at the White House. Congressman Lacy Clay and I and a few others to talk about Ferguson today, it was canceled until, I think tomorrow or later because of the immigration issues which we understand.

But the President is in concern about this. He gets reports from the Attorney General. And I think he is as anxious as anybody in the country, perhaps more so.

So, I think this is going to be a situation that the President can address, you know, after it`s over. But to come in now, I`m not sure that I would be wonder or advice him to do so.

SCHULTZ: Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Trymaine Lee, I appreciate your time tonight. Thank you gentlemen for being on the Ed Show.

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