Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live At Daybreak
Democratic Debate, Face-Off in Wisconsin
Aired February 16, 2004 - 06:31 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: In the race for president, the five Democrats still in the race are presenting a unified front against President Bush.
Our Kelly Wallace takes us on the campaign trail as the candidates faced off in Milwaukee.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With this debate viewed as one of the last opportunities to stop John Kerry's march to the nomination, John Edwards, normally "Mr. Positive," wasn't so Sunday night.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That's the longest answer I ever heard to a yes or no question.
WALLACE: Edwards ripped the front-runner's reply to a question about the Iraqi war, the North Carolina senator hoping to turn this into a two-person race.
EDWARDS: Senator Kerry just said he will beat George Bush. Not so fast, John Kerry.
WALLACE: The former Vermont governor, who has attacked Senator Kerry all week, was given opportunity after opportunity, but refused to take the bait.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you and the Bush campaign sounding the same theme about John Kerry?
HOWARD DEAN, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think George Bush has some nerve attacking anybody about special interests.
WALLACE: While Dean was on stage, his aides fielded questions about whether he would stay in the race if he loses in Wisconsin. The governor at a post-debate party tried to put those questions to rest.
DEAN: No, we are not dropping out of the race after Wisconsin.
WALLACE: With so much momentum, Kerry's goal: avoid any mistakes and appear presidential. He broke little new ground, except when asked if he would disavow statements by some Democrats that President Bush was AWOL -- away without leave -- while serving in the Alabama Air National Guard.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have suggested to some people who are my advocates, who have gone that line of attack -- it's not one that I plan to do, so I've asked them not to.
WALLACE: The highlight perhaps: one-liners from the men trailing in the polls, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton, particularly on the issue of whether Mr. Bush lied before the Iraqi war.
DENNIS KUCINICH (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president lied to the American people.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And why would he do that?
KUCINICH: Well, you know what? I can't speak for the president.
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Clearly, he lied. Now, if he is an unconscious liar and doesnt realize that he's lying, then we're really in trouble.
WALLACE (on camera): The question now is whether this debate will alter the dynamics of the race. Some political observers say it is unlikely with polls showing John Kerry with such a commanding lead over his rivals.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(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 February 16, 2004 - 06:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In the race for president, the five Democrats still in the race are presenting a unified front against President Bush.
Our Kelly Wallace takes us on the campaign trail as the candidates faced off in Milwaukee.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLY WALLACE, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With this debate viewed as one of the last opportunities to stop John Kerry's march to the nomination, John Edwards, normally "Mr. Positive," wasn't so Sunday night.
SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: That's the longest answer I ever heard to a yes or no question.
WALLACE: Edwards ripped the front-runner's reply to a question about the Iraqi war, the North Carolina senator hoping to turn this into a two-person race.
EDWARDS: Senator Kerry just said he will beat George Bush. Not so fast, John Kerry.
WALLACE: The former Vermont governor, who has attacked Senator Kerry all week, was given opportunity after opportunity, but refused to take the bait.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you and the Bush campaign sounding the same theme about John Kerry?
HOWARD DEAN, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think George Bush has some nerve attacking anybody about special interests.
WALLACE: While Dean was on stage, his aides fielded questions about whether he would stay in the race if he loses in Wisconsin. The governor at a post-debate party tried to put those questions to rest.
DEAN: No, we are not dropping out of the race after Wisconsin.
WALLACE: With so much momentum, Kerry's goal: avoid any mistakes and appear presidential. He broke little new ground, except when asked if he would disavow statements by some Democrats that President Bush was AWOL -- away without leave -- while serving in the Alabama Air National Guard.
SEN. JOHN KERRY (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I have suggested to some people who are my advocates, who have gone that line of attack -- it's not one that I plan to do, so I've asked them not to.
WALLACE: The highlight perhaps: one-liners from the men trailing in the polls, Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton, particularly on the issue of whether Mr. Bush lied before the Iraqi war.
DENNIS KUCINICH (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The president lied to the American people.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And why would he do that?
KUCINICH: Well, you know what? I can't speak for the president.
REV. AL SHARPTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Clearly, he lied. Now, if he is an unconscious liar and doesnt realize that he's lying, then we're really in trouble.
WALLACE (on camera): The question now is whether this debate will alter the dynamics of the race. Some political observers say it is unlikely with polls showing John Kerry with such a commanding lead over his rivals.
Kelly Wallace, CNN, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(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.
