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CNN Live At Daybreak
Former Gore Aide Takes Over Dean Campaign
Aired January 29, 2004 - 06:08 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 COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to American politics. It is South Carolina's turn now. A debate is scheduled for 7:00 Eastern, so the Democrats can duke it out again. This is a critical time for John Edwards.
To tell us more, let's head live to Washington, D.C. and our Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
On the political landscape, it could be called an earthquake. Howard Dean's campaign manager is out. There is a new man at the controls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): He was credited with using the Internet to help Howard Dean move from an asterisk in the polls to an early front- runner position. But now the Dean Web site says campaign manager Joe Trippi has resigned. Stumbles in Iowa and New Hampshire forced the shakeup.
Now in as chief executive officer is former Al Gore chief of staff Roy Neel. Dean says there are no plans to fire anyone from his staff.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There may be some additions, but nobody is leaving.
PRASAD: Next Tuesday, South Carolina will be one of seven states to hold primaries and caucuses. North Carolina Senator John Edwards will face a big test in South Carolina. It's where he was born. He promises to carry what he calls a vision of hope.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And we'll captivate the rest of the country.
PRASAD: The voices of African-Americans will be loud and clear in South Carolina. Half of all voters are black.
Today, front-runner John Kerry may be endorsed by South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. The representative wants South Carolina to send a message to blacks across the U.S.
REP. JIM CLYBURN (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: If there's a clear winner in this state and a clear recipient of that vote, it would resonate.
PRASAD: February 3 is the next big test for the Democrats; 269 delegates up for grabs and a shot at the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
But this is a race that most likely will not be decided next week. If the contest if still close after February, it could all come down to March on Super Tuesday.
We're live in Washington this morning. I'm Bill Prasad.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: And one of the most interesting things about this, can John Kerry win South Carolina? Can he get over that East Coast Democratic liberal thing and take the South?
PRASAD: You're right. It is a big question. So far, Kerry has said he can win it all without the South. Of course, Edwards disagrees. Now, if you're thinking along the lines of possibly a Kerry-Edwards ticket, so far Edwards says he is not interested.
COSTELLO: Interesting. All right, Bill Prasad reporting live for us from a chilly Washington, D.C. this morning.
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 January 29, 2004 - 06:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: On to American politics. It is South Carolina's turn now. A debate is scheduled for 7:00 Eastern, so the Democrats can duke it out again. This is a critical time for John Edwards.
To tell us more, let's head live to Washington, D.C. and our Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
On the political landscape, it could be called an earthquake. Howard Dean's campaign manager is out. There is a new man at the controls.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): He was credited with using the Internet to help Howard Dean move from an asterisk in the polls to an early front- runner position. But now the Dean Web site says campaign manager Joe Trippi has resigned. Stumbles in Iowa and New Hampshire forced the shakeup.
Now in as chief executive officer is former Al Gore chief of staff Roy Neel. Dean says there are no plans to fire anyone from his staff.
HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: There may be some additions, but nobody is leaving.
PRASAD: Next Tuesday, South Carolina will be one of seven states to hold primaries and caucuses. North Carolina Senator John Edwards will face a big test in South Carolina. It's where he was born. He promises to carry what he calls a vision of hope.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And we'll captivate the rest of the country.
PRASAD: The voices of African-Americans will be loud and clear in South Carolina. Half of all voters are black.
Today, front-runner John Kerry may be endorsed by South Carolina Congressman Jim Clyburn. The representative wants South Carolina to send a message to blacks across the U.S.
REP. JIM CLYBURN (D), SOUTH CAROLINA: If there's a clear winner in this state and a clear recipient of that vote, it would resonate.
PRASAD: February 3 is the next big test for the Democrats; 269 delegates up for grabs and a shot at the White House.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
But this is a race that most likely will not be decided next week. If the contest if still close after February, it could all come down to March on Super Tuesday.
We're live in Washington this morning. I'm Bill Prasad.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: And one of the most interesting things about this, can John Kerry win South Carolina? Can he get over that East Coast Democratic liberal thing and take the South?
PRASAD: You're right. It is a big question. So far, Kerry has said he can win it all without the South. Of course, Edwards disagrees. Now, if you're thinking along the lines of possibly a Kerry-Edwards ticket, so far Edwards says he is not interested.
COSTELLO: Interesting. All right, Bill Prasad reporting live for us from a chilly Washington, D.C. this morning.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
