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CNN Live At Daybreak

Seven State Showdown

Aired February 03, 2004 - 06:33   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: Oh, what is a Tuesday without primaries and caucuses? It is election season, and today could be moving along day for some Democrats. The results from five primaries and two caucuses could possibly spell the end for some, while propelling others back into the race.
To Columbia, South Carolina, and Bob Franken, who's aboard the CNN Election Express. He's live on the phone with us this morning.

Are they expecting a big turnout -- Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're talking a big turnout. There is a lot of interest. As you know, the Democratic race has generated quite a bit of notice wherever it's been, and it's in seven states today.

And you brought up something just a moment ago that is really fundamental here. The Terry McAuliffe rule is cited very often. That is the Democratic National Committee chairman saying that if somebody hasn't won a primary by the end of today, he really needs to reassess his position, which translates to pulling out.

There is also some discussion in the John Edwards camp that if he doesn't win here, where he is considered such a favorite, then he would probably pull out and throw his support to John Kerry. Although he is considered the favorite in the polls, there are a lot of people who believe that the potential for an upset by Kerry (UNINTELLIGIBLE) North Carolina, too.

COSTELLO: What about Howard Dean? He's doing very poorly in polling so far. Will he drop out if he doesn't do well this Tuesday?

FRANKEN: Well, he has defiantly made it clear that he's not going to do that. He's been preoccupied, as we all know, with various disruptions in his staff. He is saying that no matter how well or poorly that he does here, he is going to go on to Michigan and Washington state this weekend (AUDIO GAP) will make his stand Wisconsin, a state that he believes with its liberal traditions to be more receptive to the view that he's been arguing in this campaign.

COSTELLO: All right, Bob Franken reporting live from South Carolina this morning aboard the CNN Election Express.

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 February 3, 2004 - 06:33   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Oh, what is a Tuesday without primaries and caucuses? It is election season, and today could be moving along day for some Democrats. The results from five primaries and two caucuses could possibly spell the end for some, while propelling others back into the race.
To Columbia, South Carolina, and Bob Franken, who's aboard the CNN Election Express. He's live on the phone with us this morning.

Are they expecting a big turnout -- Bob?

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they're talking a big turnout. There is a lot of interest. As you know, the Democratic race has generated quite a bit of notice wherever it's been, and it's in seven states today.

And you brought up something just a moment ago that is really fundamental here. The Terry McAuliffe rule is cited very often. That is the Democratic National Committee chairman saying that if somebody hasn't won a primary by the end of today, he really needs to reassess his position, which translates to pulling out.

There is also some discussion in the John Edwards camp that if he doesn't win here, where he is considered such a favorite, then he would probably pull out and throw his support to John Kerry. Although he is considered the favorite in the polls, there are a lot of people who believe that the potential for an upset by Kerry (UNINTELLIGIBLE) North Carolina, too.

COSTELLO: What about Howard Dean? He's doing very poorly in polling so far. Will he drop out if he doesn't do well this Tuesday?

FRANKEN: Well, he has defiantly made it clear that he's not going to do that. He's been preoccupied, as we all know, with various disruptions in his staff. He is saying that no matter how well or poorly that he does here, he is going to go on to Michigan and Washington state this weekend (AUDIO GAP) will make his stand Wisconsin, a state that he believes with its liberal traditions to be more receptive to the view that he's been arguing in this campaign.

COSTELLO: All right, Bob Franken reporting live from South Carolina this morning aboard the CNN Election Express.

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