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CNN Live At Daybreak

Reaction to Recall Ruling

Aired September 24, 2003 - 05:02   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.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, tonight's scheduled debate among the California recall candidates will be watched more closely after an announcement by the ACLU. The group has decided not to appeal a ruling that allows the election to go forward October 7.
CNN's Kelly Wallace brings us reaction to that ruling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hours after the federal court ruling, GOP front runner Arnold Schwarzenegger could barely contain his joy.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE: I am extremely excited about the court's decision today. What about the court's decision, huh?

WALLACE: Less enthusiasm coming from embattled Governor Gray Davis, who political analysts believe might have benefited if the election were delayed.

GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I believe we have the momentum and I believe we'll win the election on October 7.

WALLACE: In an unanimous decision, the 11 judges ruled that delaying the election would disenfranchise the more than 500,000 voters who have already cast their absentee ballots. The American Civil Liberties Union responded, saying it would not file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

DOROTHY EHRLICH, ACLU: We do not believe that we should prolong the uncertainty any longer.

WALLACE: And now some influential Republicans believe it's time for the GOP to unite behind either Schwarzenegger or State Senator Tom McClintock. The man who bankrolled the recall movement said one of them must go.

REP. DARRELL ISSA (R), CALIFORNIA: Both of them can do the math and both of them don't want to be spoilers.

WALLACE: The pressure is on McClintock, who's trailing Schwarzenegger in the polls. For the first time publicly, the actor turned candidate seemed to suggest his GOP rival should step aside.

SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that McClintock should think about it seriously. I think that it will be tougher for to win this race with having two Republicans in there.

WALLACE: But there is pressure on Schwarzenegger, too. Preparations are under way for Wednesday's debate, the only debate the political newcomer has agreed to attend. State Republican leaders will be watching closely to see if Schwarzenegger is a candidate they can rally around.

(on camera): The day after the debate, state Republican county chairs will have a key meeting here in Sacramento, where they could decide to endorse Schwarzenegger and urge McClintock to get out of the race, according to Republican sources. But McClintock is not budging. His spokesman says the candidate is in this race until the end.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Sacramento.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 September 24, 2003 - 05:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, tonight's scheduled debate among the California recall candidates will be watched more closely after an announcement by the ACLU. The group has decided not to appeal a ruling that allows the election to go forward October 7.
CNN's Kelly Wallace brings us reaction to that ruling.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Hours after the federal court ruling, GOP front runner Arnold Schwarzenegger could barely contain his joy.

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CANDIDATE: I am extremely excited about the court's decision today. What about the court's decision, huh?

WALLACE: Less enthusiasm coming from embattled Governor Gray Davis, who political analysts believe might have benefited if the election were delayed.

GOV. GRAY DAVIS (D), CALIFORNIA: I believe we have the momentum and I believe we'll win the election on October 7.

WALLACE: In an unanimous decision, the 11 judges ruled that delaying the election would disenfranchise the more than 500,000 voters who have already cast their absentee ballots. The American Civil Liberties Union responded, saying it would not file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

DOROTHY EHRLICH, ACLU: We do not believe that we should prolong the uncertainty any longer.

WALLACE: And now some influential Republicans believe it's time for the GOP to unite behind either Schwarzenegger or State Senator Tom McClintock. The man who bankrolled the recall movement said one of them must go.

REP. DARRELL ISSA (R), CALIFORNIA: Both of them can do the math and both of them don't want to be spoilers.

WALLACE: The pressure is on McClintock, who's trailing Schwarzenegger in the polls. For the first time publicly, the actor turned candidate seemed to suggest his GOP rival should step aside.

SCHWARZENEGGER: I think that McClintock should think about it seriously. I think that it will be tougher for to win this race with having two Republicans in there.

WALLACE: But there is pressure on Schwarzenegger, too. Preparations are under way for Wednesday's debate, the only debate the political newcomer has agreed to attend. State Republican leaders will be watching closely to see if Schwarzenegger is a candidate they can rally around.

(on camera): The day after the debate, state Republican county chairs will have a key meeting here in Sacramento, where they could decide to endorse Schwarzenegger and urge McClintock to get out of the race, according to Republican sources. But McClintock is not budging. His spokesman says the candidate is in this race until the end.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Sacramento.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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