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CNN Live At Daybreak
Virginia, Tennessee Hold Primaries Today
Aired February 10, 2004 - 06:03 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 the presidential election right now. The polls say John Kerry is leading in both Tennessee and Virginia. Now, if he wins both states, it may show he can assemble support in the South, even though he's perceived as the more liberal senator from Massachusetts.
Live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
It is a small southern primary that could mean big things to these candidates. The polls are now open here in Virginia.
John Kerry rolls into these two states with a great deal of momentum. He now faces a major test.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): John Kerry on the stump in Virginia and Tennessee so far in front that he doesn't even mention his Democratic competitors.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is the worst jobs record of any administration of all 11 presidents preceding this president put together.
PRASAD: But so far, Kerry has failed to show he can win in the South, making today's primaries important. Virginia represents a good cross-section of the nation, with veterans, farmers and high-tech workers.
MARK ROZELL, POLITICAL ANALYST: Everyone acknowledges that John Kerry's weakness as a general election candidate is in the South.
PRASAD: Kerry's weakness is this man's strength. John Edwards says he doesn't even need to win today. A second-place finish could bring him closer to being considered the principal rival come convention time.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I want to do is finish in the top two here in Virginia, the top two in Tennessee.
PRASAD: Within a hair of becoming memories, Wesley Clark and Howard Dean hope today's results can pump some air into their deflated campaigns. HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's not going to be the end of the line, but there better be a win in Wisconsin.
PRASAD: Tennessee and Virginia, two states taking a close look at a front-running northerner and a son of the South. Both men understanding that no Democrat has ever won the White House without winning at least five southern states.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Kerry has already taken 10 of 12 contests. If he sweeps today, he could be ready to crush whomever he faces in Wisconsin.
We've live in Fairfax County, Virginia this morning. I'm Bill Prasad.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Bill.
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 10, 2004 - 06:03 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 the presidential election right now. The polls say John Kerry is leading in both Tennessee and Virginia. Now, if he wins both states, it may show he can assemble support in the South, even though he's perceived as the more liberal senator from Massachusetts.
Live to D.C. now and CNN's Bill Prasad.
Good morning -- Bill.
BILL PRASAD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
It is a small southern primary that could mean big things to these candidates. The polls are now open here in Virginia.
John Kerry rolls into these two states with a great deal of momentum. He now faces a major test.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRASAD (voice-over): John Kerry on the stump in Virginia and Tennessee so far in front that he doesn't even mention his Democratic competitors.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: This is the worst jobs record of any administration of all 11 presidents preceding this president put together.
PRASAD: But so far, Kerry has failed to show he can win in the South, making today's primaries important. Virginia represents a good cross-section of the nation, with veterans, farmers and high-tech workers.
MARK ROZELL, POLITICAL ANALYST: Everyone acknowledges that John Kerry's weakness as a general election candidate is in the South.
PRASAD: Kerry's weakness is this man's strength. John Edwards says he doesn't even need to win today. A second-place finish could bring him closer to being considered the principal rival come convention time.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: What I want to do is finish in the top two here in Virginia, the top two in Tennessee.
PRASAD: Within a hair of becoming memories, Wesley Clark and Howard Dean hope today's results can pump some air into their deflated campaigns. HOWARD DEAN (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's not going to be the end of the line, but there better be a win in Wisconsin.
PRASAD: Tennessee and Virginia, two states taking a close look at a front-running northerner and a son of the South. Both men understanding that no Democrat has ever won the White House without winning at least five southern states.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Kerry has already taken 10 of 12 contests. If he sweeps today, he could be ready to crush whomever he faces in Wisconsin.
We've live in Fairfax County, Virginia this morning. I'm Bill Prasad.
Carol -- back to you.
COSTELLO: All right, thank you, Bill.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
