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CNN Live At Daybreak

"Talk of CNN": Mayor Race in Washington, D.C.

Aired September 09, 2002 - 06:42   ET

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

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for our "Talk of CNN" segment. Today, Bruce Alan from WTOP Radio News in Washington, D.C. joins us by phone. It's a chance for us to find out about the hot topics his listeners are talking about.
Good morning -- Bruce.

BRUCE ALAN, WTOP RADIO, WASHINGTON, D.C.: Hi, Carol, how are you?

COSTELLO: Oh we must talk about this crazy mayor's race because tomorrow is primary day, right?

ALAN: Tomorrow is primary day. And out of the six candidates voters have to choose from, the two most serious candidates, Willie Wilson who was challenging incumbent Mayor Tony Williams, the other one, they're both write-in candidates. The four candidates that are actually on the ballot are just a little odd. We did, you see there pictures from a debate we did on the set of "CROSSFIRE" on Friday with all six candidates, including Faith who plays her bugle and sings a song accompanied by her husband on a guitar.

COSTELLO: Oh, did she do that during the debate?

ALAN: She did. She blew the bugle. It was -- it was kind of fun. I'm not -- I'm not sure how much actionable information came out of it for voters, but it was interesting in a car wreck kind of a way. You couldn't help from looking at. It was just amazing.

COSTELLO: Oh my!

ALAN: Then there's one candidate who wants to cut the water off to Congress until they give the city back. It's just a crazy group.

COSTELLO: Well that might be a popular idea, actually, Bruce.

(LAUGHTER)

ALAN: But the election is tomorrow, and I think turnout's going to be the key for incumbent Tony Williams.

COSTELLO: Do you think that he'll be successful. I mean what do the polls say? How is the write-in campaign going?

ALAN: Well most analysts think Tony Williams will pull it out even though he's not on the ballot and voters have to write his name in. Most analysts think he will be successful. COSTELLO: I think this would be just a major embarrassment for the city of Washington if Tony Williams doesn't manage to pull it out.

ALAN: You're probably right, but it's been an interesting election. And of course some of these other candidates who are a little less than mainstream are getting so much additional attention because they're on the ballot and Tony Williams is not.

COSTELLO: He needs to learn to play the bugle.

(LAUGHTER)

ALAN: Oh maybe he will for next time.

COSTELLO: Yes. Thank you very much, Bruce. We'll check back with you to see who won.

ALAN: All right, Carol.

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