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Political Fun with Al Gore, Larry Flynt

Aired August 01, 2003 - 10:37   ET

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

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


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: On to politics here in the U.S. Gore in '04 after all? Well "The Hill," which is a newspaper aimed at members of Congress, says, You know? It might just happen.
The paper reports that supporters are leaning hard on the former vice president to jump into the 2004 race. Gore took himself out, of course, of the running back in December and officially a spokeswoman says that he's not going to change his mind.

But Gore confidants feel that the political landscape has changed dramatically in recent months, making President Bush more vulnerable and they point to lukewarm enthusiasm for the nine Democratic candidates. "The Hill" says that a group of core Democratic fund raisers have not committed to other candidates feeling Gore might get back in.

Well if it is back to future for Gore, there's the whole question of money, getting such a late start on the hill. Let's talk with our senior political analyst Bill Schneider who is in Washington. I'm sure you woke up, the wheels were spinning with the idea that this could happen, Bill. Good morning.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning. I don't think it's coming from Al Gore or his people. It's coming from a lot of Democratic insiders who are worried.

You mentioned one trend we've seen this year, which is that Bush is beginning to look a little more vulnerable because of the continuing deaths of Americans in Iraq and the faltering economy. But there's another trend that worries a lot of Democratic insiders, and that's the prominence, the sudden rise of Howard Dean.

What they're very concerned about is Dean could run away with the nomination. If Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, who's widely considered a candidate of the left, although he presents himself as a centrist. If Howard Dean defeats Dick Gephardt in Iowa, which is January the 19th, and then a week later he defeats John Kerry in New Hampshire, there may be no stopping him.

And these Democrats worried that they can't win the race with Dean because they believe Dean would turn it into a referendum on the Iraq war.

Now I'm not saying they're right, but I'm saying they're worried.

KAGAN: Just for the sake of conversation, let's just say that the former vice president did jump in. He's given up, what, seven, eight months of fund-raising time. Would there possibly be enough cash to get the job done?

SCHNEIDER: Well I think if he were to get in the race there would be money for him. He has a network of supporters who have really shown no enthusiasm.

I mean one reason why Dean's rise has been easy is that the party establishment, the insiders, the operatives haven't really closed ranks around another candidate. They're really divided between Dick Gephardt, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry.

One of them could eventually, maybe even soon, become the Stop Dean Candidate. But since there's no alternative right now the people are united behind, they're taking a look at Al Gore, though I repeat, you seed you said, there's no signal yet from the Gore camp that they're even interested.

KAGAN: Well there are some colorful characters among those nine candidates, those nine Democrat who said they would like to be the next president. But none as colorful as this next person we're going to talk about that concerns the California gubernatorial recall election.

"Hustler" publisher Larry Flynt has paid the fees to jump in and put his name on the recall ballot. How very, very interesting.

SCHNEIDER: yes, well, you know, hundreds of people have paid the fees and are talking about putting their name on the ballot. It's very easy to do that in California. All you need is -- there's Larry Flynt right now, pornography publish who's tried to go a little respectable. He has a sex shop on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. And i was there for the opening. A very interesting place.

All it takes is 65 signatures. He appears to have 65 supporters and $3,500 and you can get on the ballot. There's a week and a day left to do that. the ballot could end up being yards long. Can you imagine a debate with hundreds of candidates? Maybe Daffy Duck, maybe O.J. They can all run. It's very easy.

KAGAN: It's easy. We'll be watching it certainly as it...

SCHNEIDER: I have an idea! Aren't you from California?

KAGAN: Yes I am. I'm a native Californian.

SCHNEIDER: Well, for 65 signatures -- I'm sure you have 65 friends --$,3500, you could start a Daryn for Governor movement. It's very simple.

KAGAN: Governor Kagan.

SCHNEIDER: Daryn, Daryn! I can hear them marching.

KAGAN: If you'll be my chief fund raiser and campaign manager, Bill, I'll jump in. OK? SCHNEIDER: Might as well.

KAGAN: I know you like those trips to Los Angeles as well. Thank you so much. Appreciate it, as always, my friend.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired August 1, 2003 - 10:37   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: On to politics here in the U.S. Gore in '04 after all? Well "The Hill," which is a newspaper aimed at members of Congress, says, You know? It might just happen.
The paper reports that supporters are leaning hard on the former vice president to jump into the 2004 race. Gore took himself out, of course, of the running back in December and officially a spokeswoman says that he's not going to change his mind.

But Gore confidants feel that the political landscape has changed dramatically in recent months, making President Bush more vulnerable and they point to lukewarm enthusiasm for the nine Democratic candidates. "The Hill" says that a group of core Democratic fund raisers have not committed to other candidates feeling Gore might get back in.

Well if it is back to future for Gore, there's the whole question of money, getting such a late start on the hill. Let's talk with our senior political analyst Bill Schneider who is in Washington. I'm sure you woke up, the wheels were spinning with the idea that this could happen, Bill. Good morning.

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Good morning. I don't think it's coming from Al Gore or his people. It's coming from a lot of Democratic insiders who are worried.

You mentioned one trend we've seen this year, which is that Bush is beginning to look a little more vulnerable because of the continuing deaths of Americans in Iraq and the faltering economy. But there's another trend that worries a lot of Democratic insiders, and that's the prominence, the sudden rise of Howard Dean.

What they're very concerned about is Dean could run away with the nomination. If Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, who's widely considered a candidate of the left, although he presents himself as a centrist. If Howard Dean defeats Dick Gephardt in Iowa, which is January the 19th, and then a week later he defeats John Kerry in New Hampshire, there may be no stopping him.

And these Democrats worried that they can't win the race with Dean because they believe Dean would turn it into a referendum on the Iraq war.

Now I'm not saying they're right, but I'm saying they're worried.

KAGAN: Just for the sake of conversation, let's just say that the former vice president did jump in. He's given up, what, seven, eight months of fund-raising time. Would there possibly be enough cash to get the job done?

SCHNEIDER: Well I think if he were to get in the race there would be money for him. He has a network of supporters who have really shown no enthusiasm.

I mean one reason why Dean's rise has been easy is that the party establishment, the insiders, the operatives haven't really closed ranks around another candidate. They're really divided between Dick Gephardt, Joe Lieberman, John Kerry.

One of them could eventually, maybe even soon, become the Stop Dean Candidate. But since there's no alternative right now the people are united behind, they're taking a look at Al Gore, though I repeat, you seed you said, there's no signal yet from the Gore camp that they're even interested.

KAGAN: Well there are some colorful characters among those nine candidates, those nine Democrat who said they would like to be the next president. But none as colorful as this next person we're going to talk about that concerns the California gubernatorial recall election.

"Hustler" publisher Larry Flynt has paid the fees to jump in and put his name on the recall ballot. How very, very interesting.

SCHNEIDER: yes, well, you know, hundreds of people have paid the fees and are talking about putting their name on the ballot. It's very easy to do that in California. All you need is -- there's Larry Flynt right now, pornography publish who's tried to go a little respectable. He has a sex shop on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. And i was there for the opening. A very interesting place.

All it takes is 65 signatures. He appears to have 65 supporters and $3,500 and you can get on the ballot. There's a week and a day left to do that. the ballot could end up being yards long. Can you imagine a debate with hundreds of candidates? Maybe Daffy Duck, maybe O.J. They can all run. It's very easy.

KAGAN: It's easy. We'll be watching it certainly as it...

SCHNEIDER: I have an idea! Aren't you from California?

KAGAN: Yes I am. I'm a native Californian.

SCHNEIDER: Well, for 65 signatures -- I'm sure you have 65 friends --$,3500, you could start a Daryn for Governor movement. It's very simple.

KAGAN: Governor Kagan.

SCHNEIDER: Daryn, Daryn! I can hear them marching.

KAGAN: If you'll be my chief fund raiser and campaign manager, Bill, I'll jump in. OK? SCHNEIDER: Might as well.

KAGAN: I know you like those trips to Los Angeles as well. Thank you so much. Appreciate it, as always, my friend.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com