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CNN Larry King Live
Coverage of the Democratic Convention
Aired July 26, 2004 - 21:16 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.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter delivering his speech before the Democratic National Convention, taking a clear swipe at the Bush administration. Saying in the world at large, we cannot lead if our leaders mislead. Jimmy Carter, getting an enthusiastic reception here.
Coming up at the top of the next hour, Hillary Clinton will introduce Bill Clinton. We'll stand by for live coverage of that. But in the meantime let's throw it over to Larry King, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." Larry's got some good guests. He's ready to pick it up.
LARRY KING, HOST: Thank you, Wolf. We're down here on the floor at the Democratic National Convention. We welcome two lovely ladies. They are the daughters of the presidential nominee of the Democratic party. Directly to my left is Vanessa Kerry the younger daughter of Senator John Kerry and Julia Thorn. She's taken time off from studies at Harvard Medical School to campaign for her father. And she attended Yale at the same time as her stepbrother's Chris and Andrew Heinz. And Alexandra Kerry is the older daughter of Senator John -- not much older, of Senator Kerry and his first wife. She's an independent filmmaker, masters degree at the American Film Institute. Her thesis film "The Last Full Measure" was shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
What has this been like for you, Vanessa?
VENESSA KERRY, DAUGHTER OF JOHN KERRY: It's amazing walking into this hall this evening, seeing everybody here, to celebrate Dad and Senator Edwards is an extraordinary thing.
KING: Well, what's your reaction, Alexandra?
ALEXANDRA KERRY, DAUGHTER OF JOHN KERRY: I would second my sister. I think the whole time we've been pretty cool about the process. But there's an incredible energy in this room. And walking in tonight we both looked at each other and couldn't believe that it was actually happening.
KING: Vanessa, when you have a father that's been so much in the public limelight, how has that affected you, growing up?
V. KERRY: Well, both of our parents have been advocates for Alexandra and me to really pursue our own thing, do our own lives to be -- to have our own interests. And they've given us a lot of room to make our own decisions. So in many ways being a senator hasn't impacted us. It's certainly starting to now as he runs for president, but it's well worth it.
KING: How was it when your father met his current wife?
A. KERRY: Well, Vanessa and I like to say that we introduced them.
KING: You did?
A. KERRY: They were friends beforehand. And we just encouraged the friendship, because we liked the boys a lot and knew them through school, so.
KING: So, that has been a happy thing?
Sometimes it's difficult for daughters and daddies, when daddy gets divorced and then remarries.
V. KERRY: No. Teresa's been an unbelievable addition to this family and so have the boys. We've had an incredible -- it's been about a decade now.
KING: Yes, it has.
V. KERRY: It's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of antics. And it's been very extraordinary to be on this journey together.
KING: Are you close to your mother, too?
A. KERRY: Very close, yes. My mom chooses to be more private, and she lives in the western part of the United States. But she's a huge supporter of my dad and of his policies.
KING: She is?
A. KERRY: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
V. KERRY: ... that this is the most important election of her lifetime.
KING: All right, what's your role in the campaign?
V. KERRY: I would say -- I don't know, what is my role?
KING: Are you going to help? I mean, are you going to campaign?
V. KERRY: I am going to continue to campaign. It matters to me enormously that my father becomes president of the United States. And I will do what I can to help get young people involved, help get young people to understand the best they can that this is the future, you know, this is our future and this is our country. So, anything I can do, I don't know, I mean, Alex will...
KING: What will you do? A. KERRY: I think the same. We're both going to be supportive and also do youth outreach. I think it's a balance between maintaining our own lives. But obviously there's an intense three months ahead of us. And any way -- any way that we can be involved, we will be. So we're going to work forward in the process.
KING: Anything you can do, anything you're asked to do?
A. KERRY: Yes.
V. KERRY: Not anything, oh, no. No, no. No, there are lines drawn, yeah.
KING: Do you like campaigning?
V. KERRY: Absolutely.
KING: Have you done it before?
V. KERRY: I have never done it before. But it's been very, very fun to be able to travel this country, talk to people, and hear people's stories. The energy that is behind this campaign, and the energy that is behind a hope for change is enormous. And to be a part of that, it's one way or another sort of witnessing history. It's been extraordinary.
KING: Have you campaigned before?
A. KERRY: Growing up, we didn't campaign very much. And Vanessa's been a little bit more involved in this campaign than I have. But in the past summer months, we've been both very involved, and as Vanessa said, there's this incredibly unique opportunity to travel around the country and listen to people and have conversations with people about the things they care about and what their needs are.
KING: Do you expect a very, very tough campaign?
V. KERRY: I think it will be tough. This is for the White House. But I think in any election, there is a spirit of competition. My sister says this often, too. The goal is to keep this optimistic and to be talking about the things that matter, the values of this country that matter. And, you know, the health care for all Americans, education, investing in it, protecting our resources. And I think making us safer abroad. I think that these are the things that we need to stay focused on. Not necessarily taking snipes.
KING: But are you ready emotionally for that?
A. KERRY: We've done OK so far.
KING: You know how when it gets tough.
A. KERRY: It is. And it's really hard. But our family is very supportive of each other, and we're a close family, especially considering the strain, obviously, that happens during campaigns. But I think that it's actually brought us closer together, the whole entire process.
KING: Your father's been working on his speech?
V. KERRY: He has.
A. KERRY: He has.
KING: Do you know any part of it?
V. KERRY: I know some.
A. KERRY: Parts of it.
KING: You do know a little?
A. KERRY: Yeah.
KING: Zippo, huh?
A. KERRY: It's a surprise.
KING: We're going to take a quick break, come back for a few more minutes. And when we come back, I'll try to learn a little bit of what he might say.
Our guests are the Kerry sisters, Vanessa Kerry and Alexandra Kerry.
Still to come in the next half hour, Bob Dole, George Mitchell, Bob Woodward, Mo Rocca, Candy Crowley, Howard Dean and Mr. Gephardt from the Midwest. That's all ahead. Right back with the Kerrys after this. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Historic convention and a unique broadcast. We're on the floor, and we'll be back live at midnight, too. We have remaining moments now with Vanessa Kerry and Alexandra Kerry. What did you think of your stepmother telling somebody to shove it?
V. KERRY: I think we need to look at the greater context, first of all. And I think the other thing is we need to be very careful that a single moment of exasperation doesn't become blown well out of proportion. She's been an incredible asset to this campaign. And I think, you know, this is -- people try to make a controversy out of something that really isn't.
KING: You think it's a one-day story?
A. KERRY: I hope so. I hope that people are allowed to be human and have moments in time where things happen.
KING: What does your dad say about it?
A. KERRY: I don't know. We haven't talked about it. That's how much of an impact it made in our family. KING: You haven't talked about it at all?
V. KERRY: Nope. There's more important things.
KING: What did you think of the selection of Mr. Edwards?
V. KERRY: I was delighted. I think his whole family has been an extraordinary addition. We've had a great time. There's some weird chemistry. Wasn't really an addition, it was a multiplication.
KING: And he's got those little kids.
V. KERRY: They are a riot.
A. KERRY: Absolutely. Yeah. They're the entertainment of the campaign trail, definitely. And they're all so kind and very genuine, very sweet.
V. KERRY: And it's just their values, I mean, dad and Edwards complement one another well.
KING: One more thing. On Thursday night you'll both be onstage?
A. KERRY: Yes.
KING: Are you going to speak?
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You'll both be part of the introductions?
V. KERRY: Yes. The pre-pre-introduction.
KING: You're going to film it?
A. KERRY: Perhaps.
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You nervous?
V. KERRY: Yeah. I'm very nervous. Especially walking in here and seeing all these people.
KING: You're two beautiful ladies.
V. KERRY: Thank you very much for having us.
A. KERRY: Thank you so much.
KING: Thank you guys. We'll be right back with our panel.
Lots more to go on "LARRY KING LIVE." At the top of the hour, Hillary Clinton introduces Bill Clinton. That's all ahead. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back. A very raucous opening night at the Democratic National Convention. This is one happy, optimistic crowd. Let's meet our panel members.
Here with us in Washington is Bob Dole, 1996 Republican presidential candidate.
With me in Boston, George Mitchell, former Senate majority leader, as was Senator Dole, former chairman of the Democratic senatorial campaign committee.
In Washington, Bob Woodward, another of our regulars, reporter, editor of the "Washington Post," author of the bestseller, "Plan of Attack" and a Pulitzer Prize winner.
And on the floor, our man, Mo Rocca, our roving reporter. There's Mo looking very... He must be near Rhode Island. He looks Rhode Island tonight.
Let's run it down first. Bob Dole, what did you make of the speeches by Gore and Carter?
BOB DOLE (R), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I thought they were good speeches. Let's face it, you know, they are trying to tone down the Bush bashing and I think they both -- I only read the text of Gore, didn't see Gore's movements and his facial expressions. But, you know, I think they made good speeches. I don't agree with anything they said but they were pretty good speeches.
KING: George?
GEORGE MITCHELL (D), FMR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I thought they were effective speeches. President Carter obviously feels very passionately about the subject of the United States' standing in the world and our commitment to human rights. He travels around the world, as I do, and he's obviously dismayed at the rising tide of hostility toward the United States all over the world. It clearly moves him and he expressed that tonight.
KING: Were you surprised at how popular Al Gore was with this crowd?
MITCHELL: No. I think that there's a very strong feeling among this audience that he really should have been -- was elected president. He won the popular vote.
KING: He had some funny lines.
MITCHELL: He did have some good lines. He's gotten very good at self-deprecating humor in the last couple of years.
KING: Bob Woodward, great pleasure to welcome you back. You'll be with us a few times this week. What did you make of what you've seen so far this opening night? BOB WOODWARD, "WASHINGTON POST": Well, first of all, Carter gave an internationalist speech, a great believer in the international order, and they're setting up the contrast with President Bush, who's essential message is kind of nationalism.
Almost -- the Bush message is national indestructibility. The terrorists come after us, we're going to go blow you away. It's us against them. Of course, Kerry is very much of an internationalist, also. I think people, and I was watching last night on your show people saying that Kerry has to kind of close the deal. I think there's some exasperation with Kerry because he is a very careful man. Quite cerebral, tends to nuance, and he's got to find a way to explain how he would do things differently than Bush. We know how Bush did them. Particularly after 9/11 and the Iraq war. What Kerry's got to do is find a way to make very clear and vivid to people what he would do in similar circumstances.
KING: What did you think, Bob, of the Al Gore speech?
WOODWARD: I thought it was good. And I agree with Senator Mitchell, that Gore is very -- his style four years ago was not to be self-deprecating, and he's got some wonderful lines about being unemployed and so forth. And it fits him and he wears it well.
KING: We have two Bobs with us in Washington. So I'll say Bob Woodward or Bob Dole when I ask either one a question or throw to them. Let's go to our man on the floor, our roving man, Mo Rocca. Mo, where are you now?
MO ROCCA, DNC ROVING REPORTER, "TODAY SHOW" CONTRIBUTOR: I'm with my friends in Little Rhodey here. Apparently Democrats don't believe in air conditioning. It must have something to do with the ozone layer or something. But I had to escape the rabble from down there to come up here. Larry, I have to tell you, your interview with Vanessa and Alex Kerry was interesting to me because in a race this tight we all know that every little bit counts. And the impression that those women send out, will, in fact, be important. I think what they want to send as a message is that these girls are as brainy as the Brontes but also as high spirited as the Hilton sisters. They're sort of like Nixon girls but with extra moxie. As smart as, say, Teddy Roosevelt's daughter Alice and as demure as Jerry Ford's daughter Susan. All of this really matters, I think.
KING: Bob Dole, what part does family play, daughters, wife, in a campaign, really?
DOLE: Well, I think obviously they're very supportive in every case that I know of. They play a role. They can do a lot of surrogate work. They can travel the country when you can't be there. These daughters are obviously attractive and articulate. They can be very helpful to John Kerry. Of course, Edwards' children are young. But I think the family plays a very important role. And it also sends a message to the average voter out there, Democrat, Republican, Independent, that families matter, and we care about families and family values.
MITCHELL: I think also, Larry, they tend to humanize the candidate.
KING: They humanize them?
MITCHELL: Make them seem more real, more human. Even more vulnerable in some respects.
KING: You've been to how many of these?
MITCHELL: Eleven.
KING: Does this seem...
MITCHELL: I hate to admit that.
KING: Is this more spirited? I mean, this is like -- I've never seen this party come together like this.
MITCHELL: Far more united. In every one of the previous ten in some degree or other, sometimes a lot, hassle, disputes over credentials, disputes over the platform. There's literally none of that here. Democrats are united as I've not seen in my lifetime.
KING: What do you make of that, Bob Woodward?
WOODWARD: Well, they all want to defeat Bush. And, you know, that is running in the veins there, and it will become very clear. I think one of the other interesting things about Kerry's daughters was that they sprung, I think quite effectively to the defense of Teresa, their stepmother and her comment. And they said, look, that's just a blip, and I thought the point, you know, can't somebody have a human moment, and can't we get beyond it, was a pretty profound one.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Bob Dole, first and then George -- Bob.
DOLE: Well, as George Tenet said as far as party unity, this is a slam dunk. But they're all together, they've been brought together. There weren't really many tough primaries. Let's face it, there weren't any real battles. Howard Dean was up and down fairly quickly. So they were sort of the powder puff Derby and Kerry wins the nomination. Nobody was scarred up very bad. I can recall other campaigns where the winner has really been hurt in both parties by those who opposed him in the primary.
MITCHELL: I just wanted to say about Teresa Heinz. I thought her language was rather mild compared to Vice President Cheney's.
KING: Ah. Mo Rocca, where are you now?
ROCCA: I am by Arkansas right now. It's a lovely state. A president was from there. He'll be speaking later tonight. I also want to say about Teresa Heinz Kerry today, to defend her for a bit here. She used the expression "shove it." Shove it is actually Portuguese for "the next round of Sangria is on me." So she was actually being very hospitable. KING: We'll take a break and we'll be back. Howard Dean will be joining us. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back at the Democratic National Convention. At the top of the hour, Hillary Clinton will introduce her husband, the former president.
We welcome to LARRY KING LIVE, this first edition, we have another one coming at midnight.
Joining our panel is Howard Dean the former governor of Vermont, former candidate for the presidency.
Is this a sad night for you?
HOWARD DEAN, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not a bit. It's my seventh convention. I've never seen the Democrats more united. Seven conventions, I think it's terrific.
KING: You wanted to be up there. You wanted to be the nominee.
DEAN: You know, woulda, coulda, shoulda. We got to look forward and we've got to have John Kerry beat George Bush.
KING: Do you look back with anger?
DEAN: I don't look back. You know, we've got a lot of work ahead of us. This is going to be a tough election. We need to win it for the sake of this country. And it never occurred to me look, we've got to just keep pushing forward.
KING: What role will you play?
DEAN: I'm going to do whatever John asks me. We have a group called Democracy for America which runs local candidates, because I think we have to rebuild the grassroots of the party. But John is asking me to raise some money for him, he's asking me to travel with him and sometimes without him. And I'm going to do those things between now and November.
KING: You have a definite disagreement with him about Iraq, right?
DEAN: Well, not really if you listen to what he says.
KING: Well, you haven't wanted to leave, didn't you?
DEAN: No, I didn't want to go in the first place. I thought it was a mistake.
KING: And he did.
DEAN: And I didn't think the president was being truth with us. But if you look at John Kerry's position, the interesting thing is John Kerry's position is a lot like mine, that is he wants the United Nations and NATO to take over our responsibilities there and I agree with that. The most interesting thing is that George Bush has adopted John Kerry's position. I happen to think John Kerry will be able to carry that out. (OFF-MIKE) Kerry will (OFF-MIKE) withdraw Iraq (OFF- MIKE) properly, George Bush will fail because he's alienated all the people who we need to have help us in that exercise.
KING: George.
MITCHELL: Governor, you've had a number of appearances, I know, with Ralph Nader discussing with him on NPR and other outlets.
What is your current assessment of the Nader campaign, and the effect he'll have when we get to the election?
DEAN: Until about three weeks ago, George, I thought that Ralph Nader was a really big danger to John Kerry, and I still think he is a danger. But I think Ralph has done some things that I think his base will not forgive him for. Getting on the ballot in Oregon with the help of an anti-gay right wing group. Having a Republican chairman in Michigan get enough signatures so he can get on the ballot. No Democrat, not one of the 10 of us who ran for president would have done that nor would we have gotten away with it if we had done it. I think Ralph appears to be not only like another politicians, but really almost worse than some of the very people he's attacking.
KING: Bob Woodward how big will -- will Iraq be the central point of this campaign, and Howard Dean's campaigning, will he be important?
WOODWARD: Certainly. I mean, one thing is very clear here, is that Democrats have solved the morale problem. Other words they have got everyone unified behind one candidate. The John Edwards selection went over very well. I think, you know, all of dean's followers, if he goes out there and says let's convert the morale into recruitment, getting votes, getting people out, clearly is going to be the big issue, one of them, in the coming months. Iraq will depend on the ground. What happens there. Are there still a lot -- we still have 140,000 of our fellow citizens over there. It's a very dangerous violent place. If lots of them are killed or there is continuing trouble, people are going to keep asking that question, which still has not yet been answered, was that a good war or a bad war?
KING: Bob Dole, how big will Iraq be in this campaign?
DOLE: Well, I think we ought to -- shouldn't just focus on Iraq. This is a global war on terror, Iraq is part of it, so is Afghanistan, so are the 50 million people have a little bit of freedom now because of our efforts. But I know there's been a effort by Democrats to focus, making it an Iraqi war. This a global war on terrorism, and the Democrats don't mention the catastrophe of 9/11, what it cost in dollars. What it cost in lives. They don't, you know, we talk about the deficit and things. We had to spend a lot of money on defense spending, and also because of the great losses of 9/11.
But, I want to compliment Howard Dean. Howard I said the night in Iowa, I thought you were right to speak out to help, you know, speak above the sounds of your supporters to hear you. And don't work too hard between now and November, because I think you're very effective.
KING: You want to comment, Howard?
DEAN: Bob Dole is one of my favorite people. We don't often agree. He has done a couple of wonderful, wonderful things for this country. And I don't disagree with him about Iraq. I don't think Iraq had anything to do with the war on terror, and the 9/11 Commission agreed with me. There was no connection between Osama bin Laden...
KING: The Republicans will play it as part of the picture, the Democrats will not, right?
DEAN: Well, yes. I think the president's not telling the truth when he says Osama bin Laden and Iraq were in bed together. That simply is not true, and the 9/11 Commission said it wasn't true.
KING: Mo Rocca, where are you now?
ROCCA: Thank you very much. I got them at Ben Silver in Charleston, South Carolina. Oh, I'm sorry, he was asking where I got my white bucks from if you want to get a shot of those very quickly, the shoes. I am by Michigan right now. Michigan is the Wolverine State. It has two peninsulas. The upper peninsula residents are known as uppers (ph), and they eat something called pasties, which are a eat a meat based product that has a crust around it. The miners used to go in and put them on shovels and hold them over fires to heat them up.
I want to say something about the 9/11 Commission report. There's a lot of confusion now. Some people say the real connection is al Qaeda with Iran. The truth is that if you say Iran very quickly it starts to sound like Iraq. They're very, very close together.
So I think it's understandable mix-up, yes?
KING: Thank you, Mo. Thank you, Howard. Thanks for coming by.
DEAN: My pleasure, Larry.
KING: In our remaining moments Dick Gephardt will join us. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Joining us now in our remaining moments of show number one. Again, we'll be back at midnight. Ben Affleck will be one of our guests. So will Patrick Kennedy.
Joining us now is Congressman Dick Gephardt, former majority leader of the House, Democrat of Missouri. He will address the convention tomorrow night.
We asked Howard Dean this. Are you sad tonight that this -- you wanted...
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No, I'm happy.
KING: You wanted to be up there.
GEPHARDT: I'm happy. John Kerry is a great candidate. John Edwards is a great candidate. And the important thing is that we win this election. It was never about me or any of the candidates. It's about winning the most important election of my lifetime.
KING: Did you at all expect the nomination of vice president?
GEPHARDT: I didn't know what would happen.
KING: He talked to you, right?
GEPHARDT: Yes. I was prepared to do it. But I'm equally happy not doing it. Jane Gephardt is the happiest person in the world.
KING: What are you going to do now?
GEPHARDT: I haven't figured it out.
KING: Really?
GEPHARDT: I'll figure it out down the road. I've got a little time.
DOLE: You can go out and make money.
GEPHARDT: I'm still in Congress, and I'll have fun whatever I do.
KING: What did you say, Bob Dole?
DOLE: He's going to go out and make some money. I mean, Dick and I, we served in Congress all our lives, never had a dime. And we got a nice place in our law firm, Dick, if you want to talk about it.
KING: You want to go talk to him about his law firm?
GEPHARDT: I'll be happy...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Wait a minute, are you two guys who didn't make money in politics?
DOLE: No, we were honest guys.
KING: Mr. Woodward, what do you make of the career of Mr. Gephardt?
WOODWARD: Honorable, and quite frankly, I thought Kerry might pick him. Because Gephardt had the most experience. And having been the Democratic leader in the House, having run for president himself, and I was a little surprised. But, as always, Congressman Gephardt is a party man, and you know, as I say, the morale out there is really high, and that's important.
DOLE: He's a good man. He is a very good man.
MITCHELL: Oh, Dick Gephardt, one of the first persons I'm going to call is Dick Gephardt.
GEPHARDT: I won't break this to Jane. I don't want her to hear about this.
KING: Are you saying he'll be offered a cabinet post?
MITCHELL: Absolutely.
KING: Which one?
MITCHELL: Absolutely. I don't know which one. But I guarantee you, if Kerry wins, Dick Gephardt is not going to make anymore money than he has been this past 30 years.
KING: Who will win Missouri's electoral votes?
GEPHARDT: John Kerry and John Edwards are going to win Missouri. It's always tight. Missouri is always the state...
KING: Well, how do you know?
GEPHARDT: I just feel it. I've been out there. I've been in all parts of the state. And it's still tight. They're essentially tied. But in the end, Missourians, who are cautious, show-me people are going to say we want somebody who will make this country strong again, and that's Kerry and Edwards.
KING: Are you going to campaign all over the Midwest?
GEPHARDT: Absolutely.
KING: You will?
GEPHARDT: Absolutely.
KING: Anything they want you to do?
GEPHARDT: Anything they need me to do, I'm there to do it.
KING: And knowing you, Dick, if offered a cabinet post, if he's elected, you would take it, correct? Wouldn't you? I mean, really? Unless you go work for Dole.
DOLE: Yeah. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GEPHARDT: We're getting way ahead of ourselves. I want them to win, and I want him to be a great president. And he has all the elements that it takes to be a great president. I'm excited about his candidacy.
KING: Before we wrap things up with the guys, Mo Rocca, give us the final report for this hour. We'll see you at midnight, Mo, what's up?
ROCCA: Well, I'm in the New York delegation right now. And we're all waiting to hear Hillary Clinton's speech. People are going to be listening closely to hear if there's any subtle suggestion that people not vote for John Kerry so that she can run for president in 2008. That's the big story.
KING: Thank you, Mo. We'll be seeing you at midnight in the live hour. What post would you -- would a Democratic president do you think, Bob Dole, give Dick Gephardt?
DOLE: Well, I don't know. I think a very credible post. One that would be very important. You talk about state, I'm not sure about defense. But state would be a good job for Dick Gephardt. Or George Mitchell. George Mitchell would be in the cabinet, too.
KING: George, would you come back?
MITCHELL: I have to consult with Bob Dole, my employment agency, before I make any decisions.
KING: Why don't you go to his law firm?
MITCHELL: We were in the same law firm for a long time.
KING: Bob Woodward, you mentioned experience. What job do you think Dick Gephardt would be offered by a President Kerry?
WOODWARD: I don't know. You people are sure drinking the Kool- Aid out there. You're already dividing up the cabinet posts for an administration that has not yet been elected.
KING: We're just conjecturing, Bob.
WOODWARD: I mean, what's interesting, there are people in both parties when the president calls, there's some -- there is a power that presidential service has, and when the president calls, or the president-elect calls and says, I want you to do something, even something often that's humiliating for somebody, people will say, yes, sir, and go do it. And there are hordes of people in both parties, thank God, because those are tough jobs. I mean, all the 9/11 discussion about a new national intelligence director. Maybe Dick Gephardt could have that job. That would keep him busy and not make him money.
KING: Dick, are you going to look forward to this campaign? I mean...
GEPHARDT: I really am.
KING: ... you're leaving politics. This is a last hurrah. Are you going to be on the stump? GEPHARDT: This is the greatest country that's ever existed on the face of the Earth. We're all lucky to be citizens of this country. And we have got to participate. Seeing all these people here tonight interested in political systems, civic discourse, that's what we need.
KING: Are you shocked at the united way this party is tonight?
GEPHARDT: This party is as united as I've ever seen it. It's unbelievable. There's no dissent within the party. Everybody's focused on winning this election for all the right reasons.
KING: Thanks, Dick.
George, see you tomorrow night.
Bob Woodward, Bob Dole, see you tomorrow night.
Mo Rocca will be back with us at midnight, along with a full panel. Plus, Patrick Kennedy and Ben Affleck will be aboard. That's at midnight, and we'll be with you in a couple of hours. And I'll be back in a couple of minutes to turn it over to Wolf, and then Hillary will introduce Bill. Stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We approach the top of the hour. I'm Larry King. I'll be back in a couple of hours at midnight with a complete new show, a live edition number two of LARRY KING LIVE. Big hour ahead with Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton. We'll turn it over to my man, Wolf Blitzer, right there.
BLITZER: Larry, we'll be watching at midnight a second edition of LARRY KING LIVE all week here at the convention. LARRY KING LIVE will be back in two hours.
We're standing by. Hillary Rodham Clinton about to introduce her husband, the former president of the United States, Bill Clinton. We'll of course have complete coverage this hour of both of those presentations. Let's go up to the podium. That's where they will be speaking from.
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Aired July 26, 2004 - 21:16 ET
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WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter delivering his speech before the Democratic National Convention, taking a clear swipe at the Bush administration. Saying in the world at large, we cannot lead if our leaders mislead. Jimmy Carter, getting an enthusiastic reception here.
Coming up at the top of the next hour, Hillary Clinton will introduce Bill Clinton. We'll stand by for live coverage of that. But in the meantime let's throw it over to Larry King, a special edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." Larry's got some good guests. He's ready to pick it up.
LARRY KING, HOST: Thank you, Wolf. We're down here on the floor at the Democratic National Convention. We welcome two lovely ladies. They are the daughters of the presidential nominee of the Democratic party. Directly to my left is Vanessa Kerry the younger daughter of Senator John Kerry and Julia Thorn. She's taken time off from studies at Harvard Medical School to campaign for her father. And she attended Yale at the same time as her stepbrother's Chris and Andrew Heinz. And Alexandra Kerry is the older daughter of Senator John -- not much older, of Senator Kerry and his first wife. She's an independent filmmaker, masters degree at the American Film Institute. Her thesis film "The Last Full Measure" was shown at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
What has this been like for you, Vanessa?
VENESSA KERRY, DAUGHTER OF JOHN KERRY: It's amazing walking into this hall this evening, seeing everybody here, to celebrate Dad and Senator Edwards is an extraordinary thing.
KING: Well, what's your reaction, Alexandra?
ALEXANDRA KERRY, DAUGHTER OF JOHN KERRY: I would second my sister. I think the whole time we've been pretty cool about the process. But there's an incredible energy in this room. And walking in tonight we both looked at each other and couldn't believe that it was actually happening.
KING: Vanessa, when you have a father that's been so much in the public limelight, how has that affected you, growing up?
V. KERRY: Well, both of our parents have been advocates for Alexandra and me to really pursue our own thing, do our own lives to be -- to have our own interests. And they've given us a lot of room to make our own decisions. So in many ways being a senator hasn't impacted us. It's certainly starting to now as he runs for president, but it's well worth it.
KING: How was it when your father met his current wife?
A. KERRY: Well, Vanessa and I like to say that we introduced them.
KING: You did?
A. KERRY: They were friends beforehand. And we just encouraged the friendship, because we liked the boys a lot and knew them through school, so.
KING: So, that has been a happy thing?
Sometimes it's difficult for daughters and daddies, when daddy gets divorced and then remarries.
V. KERRY: No. Teresa's been an unbelievable addition to this family and so have the boys. We've had an incredible -- it's been about a decade now.
KING: Yes, it has.
V. KERRY: It's been a lot of fun. It's been a lot of antics. And it's been very extraordinary to be on this journey together.
KING: Are you close to your mother, too?
A. KERRY: Very close, yes. My mom chooses to be more private, and she lives in the western part of the United States. But she's a huge supporter of my dad and of his policies.
KING: She is?
A. KERRY: Yes.
(CROSSTALK)
V. KERRY: ... that this is the most important election of her lifetime.
KING: All right, what's your role in the campaign?
V. KERRY: I would say -- I don't know, what is my role?
KING: Are you going to help? I mean, are you going to campaign?
V. KERRY: I am going to continue to campaign. It matters to me enormously that my father becomes president of the United States. And I will do what I can to help get young people involved, help get young people to understand the best they can that this is the future, you know, this is our future and this is our country. So, anything I can do, I don't know, I mean, Alex will...
KING: What will you do? A. KERRY: I think the same. We're both going to be supportive and also do youth outreach. I think it's a balance between maintaining our own lives. But obviously there's an intense three months ahead of us. And any way -- any way that we can be involved, we will be. So we're going to work forward in the process.
KING: Anything you can do, anything you're asked to do?
A. KERRY: Yes.
V. KERRY: Not anything, oh, no. No, no. No, there are lines drawn, yeah.
KING: Do you like campaigning?
V. KERRY: Absolutely.
KING: Have you done it before?
V. KERRY: I have never done it before. But it's been very, very fun to be able to travel this country, talk to people, and hear people's stories. The energy that is behind this campaign, and the energy that is behind a hope for change is enormous. And to be a part of that, it's one way or another sort of witnessing history. It's been extraordinary.
KING: Have you campaigned before?
A. KERRY: Growing up, we didn't campaign very much. And Vanessa's been a little bit more involved in this campaign than I have. But in the past summer months, we've been both very involved, and as Vanessa said, there's this incredibly unique opportunity to travel around the country and listen to people and have conversations with people about the things they care about and what their needs are.
KING: Do you expect a very, very tough campaign?
V. KERRY: I think it will be tough. This is for the White House. But I think in any election, there is a spirit of competition. My sister says this often, too. The goal is to keep this optimistic and to be talking about the things that matter, the values of this country that matter. And, you know, the health care for all Americans, education, investing in it, protecting our resources. And I think making us safer abroad. I think that these are the things that we need to stay focused on. Not necessarily taking snipes.
KING: But are you ready emotionally for that?
A. KERRY: We've done OK so far.
KING: You know how when it gets tough.
A. KERRY: It is. And it's really hard. But our family is very supportive of each other, and we're a close family, especially considering the strain, obviously, that happens during campaigns. But I think that it's actually brought us closer together, the whole entire process.
KING: Your father's been working on his speech?
V. KERRY: He has.
A. KERRY: He has.
KING: Do you know any part of it?
V. KERRY: I know some.
A. KERRY: Parts of it.
KING: You do know a little?
A. KERRY: Yeah.
KING: Zippo, huh?
A. KERRY: It's a surprise.
KING: We're going to take a quick break, come back for a few more minutes. And when we come back, I'll try to learn a little bit of what he might say.
Our guests are the Kerry sisters, Vanessa Kerry and Alexandra Kerry.
Still to come in the next half hour, Bob Dole, George Mitchell, Bob Woodward, Mo Rocca, Candy Crowley, Howard Dean and Mr. Gephardt from the Midwest. That's all ahead. Right back with the Kerrys after this. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Historic convention and a unique broadcast. We're on the floor, and we'll be back live at midnight, too. We have remaining moments now with Vanessa Kerry and Alexandra Kerry. What did you think of your stepmother telling somebody to shove it?
V. KERRY: I think we need to look at the greater context, first of all. And I think the other thing is we need to be very careful that a single moment of exasperation doesn't become blown well out of proportion. She's been an incredible asset to this campaign. And I think, you know, this is -- people try to make a controversy out of something that really isn't.
KING: You think it's a one-day story?
A. KERRY: I hope so. I hope that people are allowed to be human and have moments in time where things happen.
KING: What does your dad say about it?
A. KERRY: I don't know. We haven't talked about it. That's how much of an impact it made in our family. KING: You haven't talked about it at all?
V. KERRY: Nope. There's more important things.
KING: What did you think of the selection of Mr. Edwards?
V. KERRY: I was delighted. I think his whole family has been an extraordinary addition. We've had a great time. There's some weird chemistry. Wasn't really an addition, it was a multiplication.
KING: And he's got those little kids.
V. KERRY: They are a riot.
A. KERRY: Absolutely. Yeah. They're the entertainment of the campaign trail, definitely. And they're all so kind and very genuine, very sweet.
V. KERRY: And it's just their values, I mean, dad and Edwards complement one another well.
KING: One more thing. On Thursday night you'll both be onstage?
A. KERRY: Yes.
KING: Are you going to speak?
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You'll both be part of the introductions?
V. KERRY: Yes. The pre-pre-introduction.
KING: You're going to film it?
A. KERRY: Perhaps.
V. KERRY: Yes.
KING: You nervous?
V. KERRY: Yeah. I'm very nervous. Especially walking in here and seeing all these people.
KING: You're two beautiful ladies.
V. KERRY: Thank you very much for having us.
A. KERRY: Thank you so much.
KING: Thank you guys. We'll be right back with our panel.
Lots more to go on "LARRY KING LIVE." At the top of the hour, Hillary Clinton introduces Bill Clinton. That's all ahead. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back. A very raucous opening night at the Democratic National Convention. This is one happy, optimistic crowd. Let's meet our panel members.
Here with us in Washington is Bob Dole, 1996 Republican presidential candidate.
With me in Boston, George Mitchell, former Senate majority leader, as was Senator Dole, former chairman of the Democratic senatorial campaign committee.
In Washington, Bob Woodward, another of our regulars, reporter, editor of the "Washington Post," author of the bestseller, "Plan of Attack" and a Pulitzer Prize winner.
And on the floor, our man, Mo Rocca, our roving reporter. There's Mo looking very... He must be near Rhode Island. He looks Rhode Island tonight.
Let's run it down first. Bob Dole, what did you make of the speeches by Gore and Carter?
BOB DOLE (R), FMR. PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, I thought they were good speeches. Let's face it, you know, they are trying to tone down the Bush bashing and I think they both -- I only read the text of Gore, didn't see Gore's movements and his facial expressions. But, you know, I think they made good speeches. I don't agree with anything they said but they were pretty good speeches.
KING: George?
GEORGE MITCHELL (D), FMR. SENATE MAJORITY LEADER: I thought they were effective speeches. President Carter obviously feels very passionately about the subject of the United States' standing in the world and our commitment to human rights. He travels around the world, as I do, and he's obviously dismayed at the rising tide of hostility toward the United States all over the world. It clearly moves him and he expressed that tonight.
KING: Were you surprised at how popular Al Gore was with this crowd?
MITCHELL: No. I think that there's a very strong feeling among this audience that he really should have been -- was elected president. He won the popular vote.
KING: He had some funny lines.
MITCHELL: He did have some good lines. He's gotten very good at self-deprecating humor in the last couple of years.
KING: Bob Woodward, great pleasure to welcome you back. You'll be with us a few times this week. What did you make of what you've seen so far this opening night? BOB WOODWARD, "WASHINGTON POST": Well, first of all, Carter gave an internationalist speech, a great believer in the international order, and they're setting up the contrast with President Bush, who's essential message is kind of nationalism.
Almost -- the Bush message is national indestructibility. The terrorists come after us, we're going to go blow you away. It's us against them. Of course, Kerry is very much of an internationalist, also. I think people, and I was watching last night on your show people saying that Kerry has to kind of close the deal. I think there's some exasperation with Kerry because he is a very careful man. Quite cerebral, tends to nuance, and he's got to find a way to explain how he would do things differently than Bush. We know how Bush did them. Particularly after 9/11 and the Iraq war. What Kerry's got to do is find a way to make very clear and vivid to people what he would do in similar circumstances.
KING: What did you think, Bob, of the Al Gore speech?
WOODWARD: I thought it was good. And I agree with Senator Mitchell, that Gore is very -- his style four years ago was not to be self-deprecating, and he's got some wonderful lines about being unemployed and so forth. And it fits him and he wears it well.
KING: We have two Bobs with us in Washington. So I'll say Bob Woodward or Bob Dole when I ask either one a question or throw to them. Let's go to our man on the floor, our roving man, Mo Rocca. Mo, where are you now?
MO ROCCA, DNC ROVING REPORTER, "TODAY SHOW" CONTRIBUTOR: I'm with my friends in Little Rhodey here. Apparently Democrats don't believe in air conditioning. It must have something to do with the ozone layer or something. But I had to escape the rabble from down there to come up here. Larry, I have to tell you, your interview with Vanessa and Alex Kerry was interesting to me because in a race this tight we all know that every little bit counts. And the impression that those women send out, will, in fact, be important. I think what they want to send as a message is that these girls are as brainy as the Brontes but also as high spirited as the Hilton sisters. They're sort of like Nixon girls but with extra moxie. As smart as, say, Teddy Roosevelt's daughter Alice and as demure as Jerry Ford's daughter Susan. All of this really matters, I think.
KING: Bob Dole, what part does family play, daughters, wife, in a campaign, really?
DOLE: Well, I think obviously they're very supportive in every case that I know of. They play a role. They can do a lot of surrogate work. They can travel the country when you can't be there. These daughters are obviously attractive and articulate. They can be very helpful to John Kerry. Of course, Edwards' children are young. But I think the family plays a very important role. And it also sends a message to the average voter out there, Democrat, Republican, Independent, that families matter, and we care about families and family values.
MITCHELL: I think also, Larry, they tend to humanize the candidate.
KING: They humanize them?
MITCHELL: Make them seem more real, more human. Even more vulnerable in some respects.
KING: You've been to how many of these?
MITCHELL: Eleven.
KING: Does this seem...
MITCHELL: I hate to admit that.
KING: Is this more spirited? I mean, this is like -- I've never seen this party come together like this.
MITCHELL: Far more united. In every one of the previous ten in some degree or other, sometimes a lot, hassle, disputes over credentials, disputes over the platform. There's literally none of that here. Democrats are united as I've not seen in my lifetime.
KING: What do you make of that, Bob Woodward?
WOODWARD: Well, they all want to defeat Bush. And, you know, that is running in the veins there, and it will become very clear. I think one of the other interesting things about Kerry's daughters was that they sprung, I think quite effectively to the defense of Teresa, their stepmother and her comment. And they said, look, that's just a blip, and I thought the point, you know, can't somebody have a human moment, and can't we get beyond it, was a pretty profound one.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Bob Dole, first and then George -- Bob.
DOLE: Well, as George Tenet said as far as party unity, this is a slam dunk. But they're all together, they've been brought together. There weren't really many tough primaries. Let's face it, there weren't any real battles. Howard Dean was up and down fairly quickly. So they were sort of the powder puff Derby and Kerry wins the nomination. Nobody was scarred up very bad. I can recall other campaigns where the winner has really been hurt in both parties by those who opposed him in the primary.
MITCHELL: I just wanted to say about Teresa Heinz. I thought her language was rather mild compared to Vice President Cheney's.
KING: Ah. Mo Rocca, where are you now?
ROCCA: I am by Arkansas right now. It's a lovely state. A president was from there. He'll be speaking later tonight. I also want to say about Teresa Heinz Kerry today, to defend her for a bit here. She used the expression "shove it." Shove it is actually Portuguese for "the next round of Sangria is on me." So she was actually being very hospitable. KING: We'll take a break and we'll be back. Howard Dean will be joining us. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We're back at the Democratic National Convention. At the top of the hour, Hillary Clinton will introduce her husband, the former president.
We welcome to LARRY KING LIVE, this first edition, we have another one coming at midnight.
Joining our panel is Howard Dean the former governor of Vermont, former candidate for the presidency.
Is this a sad night for you?
HOWARD DEAN, FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Not a bit. It's my seventh convention. I've never seen the Democrats more united. Seven conventions, I think it's terrific.
KING: You wanted to be up there. You wanted to be the nominee.
DEAN: You know, woulda, coulda, shoulda. We got to look forward and we've got to have John Kerry beat George Bush.
KING: Do you look back with anger?
DEAN: I don't look back. You know, we've got a lot of work ahead of us. This is going to be a tough election. We need to win it for the sake of this country. And it never occurred to me look, we've got to just keep pushing forward.
KING: What role will you play?
DEAN: I'm going to do whatever John asks me. We have a group called Democracy for America which runs local candidates, because I think we have to rebuild the grassroots of the party. But John is asking me to raise some money for him, he's asking me to travel with him and sometimes without him. And I'm going to do those things between now and November.
KING: You have a definite disagreement with him about Iraq, right?
DEAN: Well, not really if you listen to what he says.
KING: Well, you haven't wanted to leave, didn't you?
DEAN: No, I didn't want to go in the first place. I thought it was a mistake.
KING: And he did.
DEAN: And I didn't think the president was being truth with us. But if you look at John Kerry's position, the interesting thing is John Kerry's position is a lot like mine, that is he wants the United Nations and NATO to take over our responsibilities there and I agree with that. The most interesting thing is that George Bush has adopted John Kerry's position. I happen to think John Kerry will be able to carry that out. (OFF-MIKE) Kerry will (OFF-MIKE) withdraw Iraq (OFF- MIKE) properly, George Bush will fail because he's alienated all the people who we need to have help us in that exercise.
KING: George.
MITCHELL: Governor, you've had a number of appearances, I know, with Ralph Nader discussing with him on NPR and other outlets.
What is your current assessment of the Nader campaign, and the effect he'll have when we get to the election?
DEAN: Until about three weeks ago, George, I thought that Ralph Nader was a really big danger to John Kerry, and I still think he is a danger. But I think Ralph has done some things that I think his base will not forgive him for. Getting on the ballot in Oregon with the help of an anti-gay right wing group. Having a Republican chairman in Michigan get enough signatures so he can get on the ballot. No Democrat, not one of the 10 of us who ran for president would have done that nor would we have gotten away with it if we had done it. I think Ralph appears to be not only like another politicians, but really almost worse than some of the very people he's attacking.
KING: Bob Woodward how big will -- will Iraq be the central point of this campaign, and Howard Dean's campaigning, will he be important?
WOODWARD: Certainly. I mean, one thing is very clear here, is that Democrats have solved the morale problem. Other words they have got everyone unified behind one candidate. The John Edwards selection went over very well. I think, you know, all of dean's followers, if he goes out there and says let's convert the morale into recruitment, getting votes, getting people out, clearly is going to be the big issue, one of them, in the coming months. Iraq will depend on the ground. What happens there. Are there still a lot -- we still have 140,000 of our fellow citizens over there. It's a very dangerous violent place. If lots of them are killed or there is continuing trouble, people are going to keep asking that question, which still has not yet been answered, was that a good war or a bad war?
KING: Bob Dole, how big will Iraq be in this campaign?
DOLE: Well, I think we ought to -- shouldn't just focus on Iraq. This is a global war on terror, Iraq is part of it, so is Afghanistan, so are the 50 million people have a little bit of freedom now because of our efforts. But I know there's been a effort by Democrats to focus, making it an Iraqi war. This a global war on terrorism, and the Democrats don't mention the catastrophe of 9/11, what it cost in dollars. What it cost in lives. They don't, you know, we talk about the deficit and things. We had to spend a lot of money on defense spending, and also because of the great losses of 9/11.
But, I want to compliment Howard Dean. Howard I said the night in Iowa, I thought you were right to speak out to help, you know, speak above the sounds of your supporters to hear you. And don't work too hard between now and November, because I think you're very effective.
KING: You want to comment, Howard?
DEAN: Bob Dole is one of my favorite people. We don't often agree. He has done a couple of wonderful, wonderful things for this country. And I don't disagree with him about Iraq. I don't think Iraq had anything to do with the war on terror, and the 9/11 Commission agreed with me. There was no connection between Osama bin Laden...
KING: The Republicans will play it as part of the picture, the Democrats will not, right?
DEAN: Well, yes. I think the president's not telling the truth when he says Osama bin Laden and Iraq were in bed together. That simply is not true, and the 9/11 Commission said it wasn't true.
KING: Mo Rocca, where are you now?
ROCCA: Thank you very much. I got them at Ben Silver in Charleston, South Carolina. Oh, I'm sorry, he was asking where I got my white bucks from if you want to get a shot of those very quickly, the shoes. I am by Michigan right now. Michigan is the Wolverine State. It has two peninsulas. The upper peninsula residents are known as uppers (ph), and they eat something called pasties, which are a eat a meat based product that has a crust around it. The miners used to go in and put them on shovels and hold them over fires to heat them up.
I want to say something about the 9/11 Commission report. There's a lot of confusion now. Some people say the real connection is al Qaeda with Iran. The truth is that if you say Iran very quickly it starts to sound like Iraq. They're very, very close together.
So I think it's understandable mix-up, yes?
KING: Thank you, Mo. Thank you, Howard. Thanks for coming by.
DEAN: My pleasure, Larry.
KING: In our remaining moments Dick Gephardt will join us. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Joining us now in our remaining moments of show number one. Again, we'll be back at midnight. Ben Affleck will be one of our guests. So will Patrick Kennedy.
Joining us now is Congressman Dick Gephardt, former majority leader of the House, Democrat of Missouri. He will address the convention tomorrow night.
We asked Howard Dean this. Are you sad tonight that this -- you wanted...
REP. RICHARD GEPHARDT (D-MO), FORMER PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: No, I'm happy.
KING: You wanted to be up there.
GEPHARDT: I'm happy. John Kerry is a great candidate. John Edwards is a great candidate. And the important thing is that we win this election. It was never about me or any of the candidates. It's about winning the most important election of my lifetime.
KING: Did you at all expect the nomination of vice president?
GEPHARDT: I didn't know what would happen.
KING: He talked to you, right?
GEPHARDT: Yes. I was prepared to do it. But I'm equally happy not doing it. Jane Gephardt is the happiest person in the world.
KING: What are you going to do now?
GEPHARDT: I haven't figured it out.
KING: Really?
GEPHARDT: I'll figure it out down the road. I've got a little time.
DOLE: You can go out and make money.
GEPHARDT: I'm still in Congress, and I'll have fun whatever I do.
KING: What did you say, Bob Dole?
DOLE: He's going to go out and make some money. I mean, Dick and I, we served in Congress all our lives, never had a dime. And we got a nice place in our law firm, Dick, if you want to talk about it.
KING: You want to go talk to him about his law firm?
GEPHARDT: I'll be happy...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Wait a minute, are you two guys who didn't make money in politics?
DOLE: No, we were honest guys.
KING: Mr. Woodward, what do you make of the career of Mr. Gephardt?
WOODWARD: Honorable, and quite frankly, I thought Kerry might pick him. Because Gephardt had the most experience. And having been the Democratic leader in the House, having run for president himself, and I was a little surprised. But, as always, Congressman Gephardt is a party man, and you know, as I say, the morale out there is really high, and that's important.
DOLE: He's a good man. He is a very good man.
MITCHELL: Oh, Dick Gephardt, one of the first persons I'm going to call is Dick Gephardt.
GEPHARDT: I won't break this to Jane. I don't want her to hear about this.
KING: Are you saying he'll be offered a cabinet post?
MITCHELL: Absolutely.
KING: Which one?
MITCHELL: Absolutely. I don't know which one. But I guarantee you, if Kerry wins, Dick Gephardt is not going to make anymore money than he has been this past 30 years.
KING: Who will win Missouri's electoral votes?
GEPHARDT: John Kerry and John Edwards are going to win Missouri. It's always tight. Missouri is always the state...
KING: Well, how do you know?
GEPHARDT: I just feel it. I've been out there. I've been in all parts of the state. And it's still tight. They're essentially tied. But in the end, Missourians, who are cautious, show-me people are going to say we want somebody who will make this country strong again, and that's Kerry and Edwards.
KING: Are you going to campaign all over the Midwest?
GEPHARDT: Absolutely.
KING: You will?
GEPHARDT: Absolutely.
KING: Anything they want you to do?
GEPHARDT: Anything they need me to do, I'm there to do it.
KING: And knowing you, Dick, if offered a cabinet post, if he's elected, you would take it, correct? Wouldn't you? I mean, really? Unless you go work for Dole.
DOLE: Yeah. (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
GEPHARDT: We're getting way ahead of ourselves. I want them to win, and I want him to be a great president. And he has all the elements that it takes to be a great president. I'm excited about his candidacy.
KING: Before we wrap things up with the guys, Mo Rocca, give us the final report for this hour. We'll see you at midnight, Mo, what's up?
ROCCA: Well, I'm in the New York delegation right now. And we're all waiting to hear Hillary Clinton's speech. People are going to be listening closely to hear if there's any subtle suggestion that people not vote for John Kerry so that she can run for president in 2008. That's the big story.
KING: Thank you, Mo. We'll be seeing you at midnight in the live hour. What post would you -- would a Democratic president do you think, Bob Dole, give Dick Gephardt?
DOLE: Well, I don't know. I think a very credible post. One that would be very important. You talk about state, I'm not sure about defense. But state would be a good job for Dick Gephardt. Or George Mitchell. George Mitchell would be in the cabinet, too.
KING: George, would you come back?
MITCHELL: I have to consult with Bob Dole, my employment agency, before I make any decisions.
KING: Why don't you go to his law firm?
MITCHELL: We were in the same law firm for a long time.
KING: Bob Woodward, you mentioned experience. What job do you think Dick Gephardt would be offered by a President Kerry?
WOODWARD: I don't know. You people are sure drinking the Kool- Aid out there. You're already dividing up the cabinet posts for an administration that has not yet been elected.
KING: We're just conjecturing, Bob.
WOODWARD: I mean, what's interesting, there are people in both parties when the president calls, there's some -- there is a power that presidential service has, and when the president calls, or the president-elect calls and says, I want you to do something, even something often that's humiliating for somebody, people will say, yes, sir, and go do it. And there are hordes of people in both parties, thank God, because those are tough jobs. I mean, all the 9/11 discussion about a new national intelligence director. Maybe Dick Gephardt could have that job. That would keep him busy and not make him money.
KING: Dick, are you going to look forward to this campaign? I mean...
GEPHARDT: I really am.
KING: ... you're leaving politics. This is a last hurrah. Are you going to be on the stump? GEPHARDT: This is the greatest country that's ever existed on the face of the Earth. We're all lucky to be citizens of this country. And we have got to participate. Seeing all these people here tonight interested in political systems, civic discourse, that's what we need.
KING: Are you shocked at the united way this party is tonight?
GEPHARDT: This party is as united as I've ever seen it. It's unbelievable. There's no dissent within the party. Everybody's focused on winning this election for all the right reasons.
KING: Thanks, Dick.
George, see you tomorrow night.
Bob Woodward, Bob Dole, see you tomorrow night.
Mo Rocca will be back with us at midnight, along with a full panel. Plus, Patrick Kennedy and Ben Affleck will be aboard. That's at midnight, and we'll be with you in a couple of hours. And I'll be back in a couple of minutes to turn it over to Wolf, and then Hillary will introduce Bill. Stay right there.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: We approach the top of the hour. I'm Larry King. I'll be back in a couple of hours at midnight with a complete new show, a live edition number two of LARRY KING LIVE. Big hour ahead with Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton. We'll turn it over to my man, Wolf Blitzer, right there.
BLITZER: Larry, we'll be watching at midnight a second edition of LARRY KING LIVE all week here at the convention. LARRY KING LIVE will be back in two hours.
We're standing by. Hillary Rodham Clinton about to introduce her husband, the former president of the United States, Bill Clinton. We'll of course have complete coverage this hour of both of those presentations. Let's go up to the podium. That's where they will be speaking from.
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