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CNN Live At Daybreak

Conservative Republicans Uniting in California

Aired September 26, 2003 - 05:09   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: Turning now to the California recall election, the October 7 election day is coming up soon. Conservative Republicans are uniting and throwing their support behind the one they think who can win, not the man actually closest to their views.
CNN's Kelly Wallace has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: California's conservative Republicans, increasingly concerned that the major GOP candidates could split the vote and keep the governorship in Democratic hands, are publicly endorsing front runner Arnold Schwarzenegger over a man who shares more of their beliefs.

The latest example, Republican Congressman Daryl Issa, who bankrolled the recall movement. He is expected to endorse Schwarzenegger later today, sources close to Issa tell CNN. He is also expected to encourage State Senator Tom McClintock to get out of the race.

Yesterday, Schwarzenegger received the backing of another influential conservative, former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon. Now, McClintock, for his part, says he made a promise to stay in this race until the end and he says that is a promise he will keep.

Meantime, embattled Democratic Governor Gray Davis is accusing Schwarzenegger of distorting his record and he says he will decide in two days whether to issue a formal challenge to Schwarzenegger to engage in a one-on-one debate.

Schwarzenegger's aides say this is a sign that Davis is worried and his poll numbers are sinking. They say they won't say any more until they get that formal challenge.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Los Angeles.

(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 26, 2003 - 05:09   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Turning now to the California recall election, the October 7 election day is coming up soon. Conservative Republicans are uniting and throwing their support behind the one they think who can win, not the man actually closest to their views.
CNN's Kelly Wallace has this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: California's conservative Republicans, increasingly concerned that the major GOP candidates could split the vote and keep the governorship in Democratic hands, are publicly endorsing front runner Arnold Schwarzenegger over a man who shares more of their beliefs.

The latest example, Republican Congressman Daryl Issa, who bankrolled the recall movement. He is expected to endorse Schwarzenegger later today, sources close to Issa tell CNN. He is also expected to encourage State Senator Tom McClintock to get out of the race.

Yesterday, Schwarzenegger received the backing of another influential conservative, former gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon. Now, McClintock, for his part, says he made a promise to stay in this race until the end and he says that is a promise he will keep.

Meantime, embattled Democratic Governor Gray Davis is accusing Schwarzenegger of distorting his record and he says he will decide in two days whether to issue a formal challenge to Schwarzenegger to engage in a one-on-one debate.

Schwarzenegger's aides say this is a sign that Davis is worried and his poll numbers are sinking. They say they won't say any more until they get that formal challenge.

Kelly Wallace, CNN, Los Angeles.

(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