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CNN Live At Daybreak
California Recall: Voices Raised
Aired September 25, 2003 - 06:35 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: The California recall candidates will fan out across the state today, trying to squeeze any momentum they can from last night's debate.
CNN's Kimberly Osias has the highlights.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They went head to head. All top five California gubernatorial candidates battled it out. And for those that expected a scripted 90-minute debate, they were in for a bit of a surprise.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, this is not "Comedy Central."
OSIAS (voice-over): At times, even the moderator had trouble controlling these candidates. But there was more than just comedy at last night's recall debate. It was a substantive discussion on major issues facing California, but still it was spirited. In short, it was politics as usual with a bit of mud.
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON (I), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Because of the way you treat women, we know that, but not now.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I have just realized that I have a perfect part for you in "Terminator 4." That's it.
OSIAS: Arnold Schwarzenegger's role for the evening? To put himself in the spotlight as a political heavyweight.
SCHWARZENEGGER: What we have to do right now is protect the businesses and protect the people so they have jobs.
OSIAS: But the videotaped questions came to all of the candidates.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone talks about wanting a color-blind society, but what does that actually mean to you?
OSIAS: They ranged from race relations to California's multibillion dollar budget crises.
LT. GOV. CRUZ BUSTAMANTE (D), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: We've done all the easy things, and now it's time to do the tough things. OSIAS: With less than two weeks until election day, one tough issue facing the Republican Party is just who to endorse. Republican state Senator Tom McClintock says he isn't backing down.
SEN. TOM MCCLINTOCK (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: When I entered this race, I made a promise to stay in it to the finish line, and I keep my promises.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OSIAS: Later this afternoon, the GOP will hold a special strategizing session. They'll be expected to talk about the recall and the Republican candidates.
Kimberly Osias, CNN, Sacramento.
Back to you -- Carol.
LIN: All right, thank you very much, Kimberly.
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 25, 2003 - 06:35 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: The California recall candidates will fan out across the state today, trying to squeeze any momentum they can from last night's debate.
CNN's Kimberly Osias has the highlights.
KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: They went head to head. All top five California gubernatorial candidates battled it out. And for those that expected a scripted 90-minute debate, they were in for a bit of a surprise.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, this is not "Comedy Central."
OSIAS (voice-over): At times, even the moderator had trouble controlling these candidates. But there was more than just comedy at last night's recall debate. It was a substantive discussion on major issues facing California, but still it was spirited. In short, it was politics as usual with a bit of mud.
ARIANNA HUFFINGTON (I), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: Because of the way you treat women, we know that, but not now.
ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: I have just realized that I have a perfect part for you in "Terminator 4." That's it.
OSIAS: Arnold Schwarzenegger's role for the evening? To put himself in the spotlight as a political heavyweight.
SCHWARZENEGGER: What we have to do right now is protect the businesses and protect the people so they have jobs.
OSIAS: But the videotaped questions came to all of the candidates.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everyone talks about wanting a color-blind society, but what does that actually mean to you?
OSIAS: They ranged from race relations to California's multibillion dollar budget crises.
LT. GOV. CRUZ BUSTAMANTE (D), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: We've done all the easy things, and now it's time to do the tough things. OSIAS: With less than two weeks until election day, one tough issue facing the Republican Party is just who to endorse. Republican state Senator Tom McClintock says he isn't backing down.
SEN. TOM MCCLINTOCK (R), CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: When I entered this race, I made a promise to stay in it to the finish line, and I keep my promises.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
OSIAS: Later this afternoon, the GOP will hold a special strategizing session. They'll be expected to talk about the recall and the Republican candidates.
Kimberly Osias, CNN, Sacramento.
Back to you -- Carol.
LIN: All right, thank you very much, Kimberly.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
