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CNN Wolf Blitzer Reports

Dead Heat on Election Eve; Problems at the Polls; Will Weather Weigh Heavily on Election Turnout? Preview of Key Senate Races; The Electras: Former Kerry Bandmates Plan Reunion

Aired November 01, 2004 - 17:00   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, HOST: Happening now. It's the day before the election and voters in West Palm Beach, Florida. You're looking live at these pictures, lining up to pick the next president of the United States. Which candidate goes into election day with an edge?
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Election eve. They're at the finish line and it's still a dead heat.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: All of the hopes and dreams of our country are on the line today.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ...the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.

BLITZER: Problems at the poll. Is the battle just beginning in key battleground states?

Turnout or washout? Will the weather weigh on the election results?

Balance of power. A game of musical chairs, with the Senate at stake.

And he now hangs out with Springsteen and Bon Jovi but once he had his own band. We'll look back with the Electras.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, November 1, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Thanks for joining us from New York City. With election day just hours away, the candidates are racing from battleground to battleground. President Bush is making seven stops on his final campaign swing. But the candidates have done just about all they can. This extraordinarily close race is now in the hands of the voters. We begin on the trail with our White House correspondent Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and Mrs. Laura Bush!

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A dramatic arrival in the familiar trappings of the presidency staged to set the incumbent apart from his challenger, staged to show confidence.

CURT SCHILLING, BOSTON RED SOX PITCHER: It sounds like we've got a few Red Sox fans out here. It sounds like we have a few George Bush fans out here.

BASH: Then an introduction by Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, hero of John Kerry's hometown.

BUSH: There's nothing like an early morning rally in the great state of Ohio.

BASH: Ohio is the first in a seven-stop Bush sprint. He won here in 2000 but it's in jeopardy because of job loss, which he acknowledges.

BUSH: I know the economy of this state has been through a lot, but we're moving in the right direction.

BASH: The president's top aide boasts they'll win Ohio, and then some.

KARL ROVE, SR. WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: We're ahead. We're going to win, we're going to win. We will win Florida and Ohio. We will take at least two or three or four states that were won by Gore in the last election.

BASH: After Ohio, four of those Gore blue states are on the itinerary: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, and New Mexico before going home to Texas. Along the way the president uncharacteristically seeks out reporters.

BUSH: I just want to assure you I have got the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.

BASH: Public bravado but some nervousness behind the scenes. Bush aides concede historically undecideds usually don't break for the incumbent. Mr. Bush doesn't hold a majority in many states he needs to win, but the president is running on antiterrorism credentials he thinks can help defy trends.

BUSH: I want to continue telling the people what I intend to protect them.

BASH: That, aides hope, will make undecideds think twice before switching horses. But the reality is, at this point, the president has already made his policy arguments, already torn into his opponent. All that's left for him is the final sales pitch.

BUSH: I ask you to come stand with me. (on camera): Now it's about the ground game where Democrats traditionally have the upper hand, but Bush aides say they have 1.4 million volunteers, that's three times what they had four years ago, but they also concede the Democrats turnout operation is well-funded and therefore could be hard to match. Dana Bash, CNN, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: In his final push, the Democrat John Kerry is pushing voters to turn out at the polls. Kerry began today in Florida, but is now focusing in on the Midwest, right up through a late-night rally in Ohio. Our national correspondent Frank Buckley on the trail, joining us live from Milwaukee -- Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, for a while today Milwaukee was the center of the political universe, both candidates, both President Bush and Senator Kerry, were both here in Milwaukee, about an hour apart from each other. In fact, at one point, Senator Kerry, as his motorcade was coming into the city, President Bush was going wheels up in Air Force One right overhead. But both of their appearances were very brief. Senator Kerry's appearance here in Milwaukee, part of his attempt to do several touchdown events in several media markets across four battleground states.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KERRY: So are you ready to take this thing and win and finish it off and get the job done?

BUCKLEY (voice-over): Senator John Kerry fired up his supporters in Florida for one last time, the state where the 2000 election ended, where Kerry began his last full day of campaigning. Next stop, Wisconsin where Kerry donned a Boston Red Sox cap and rallied the base in the rain in Milwaukee, Kerry asking the faithful to bring their friends to the polls, too.

KERRY: I need you in these hours to go out and do the hard work, knock on those doors, make those phone calls, talk to friends, take people to the polls, help us change the direction of this great nation for the better.

BUCKLEY: Kerry's message on election eve, he is the man for the middle class.

KERRY: George Bush keeps choosing the wealthy, the powerful, the drug companies, the oil companies. I think the White House ought to be occupied by a champion for the middle class and those struggling to get in it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BUCKLEY (on camera): Advisers expressing a great deal of confidence in victory tomorrow. They believe, Wolf, that undecided voters and the newly registered voters will break their way at the end of the day. From here Senator Kerry is off to Michigan for an appearance in Detroit with Stevie Wonder. He'll be in Ohio, two different media markets there, Toledo and Cleveland, Bruce Springsteen performing at one of those events, and then finally he's going to return to Wisconsin overnighting in La Crosse, Wisconsin -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank Buckley in Milwaukee for us. Thank you, Frank, very much.

As the presidential candidates wind down their campaign. And I said, as the presidential candidates wind down their campaigns, the polls right now remaining just about as close as they can be. Look at this. Our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup shows George Bush leading John Kerry 49 percent to 47 percent among likely voters. That's well within the sampling error. And when the undecided vote is removed, the poll shows Bush and Kerry in a dead heat among likely voters, 49 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Kerry.

Our poll of polls, combining the results of eight separate national surveys is almost as close. It shows Bush with a two-point lead, 48 percent to Kerry's 46 percent.

What does this all mean? CNN political analyst Carlos Watson with the inside edge. Carlos, I want to show our viewers what's happening in your home state of Florida right now. There were some headlines in some of the major newspapers in Florida, the "Orlando Sentinel" had a headline "It's Numbers Game At End," the "Palm Beach Post," "Polls Hint At Key Role For State Again," the "Sun-Sentinel" had this little modest headline, "Final Frenzy in Florida."

Our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, the last one we'll do for Florida has Kerry at 49 percent, Bush at 46 percent. A three-point margin of error. What's your take on what's happening in Florida?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: The incredible thing about Florida is it's the ultimate microcosm of this election. There are probably a dozen different factors floating around this election nationally and Florida has almost all of them. Lots of money, important surrogates, including the governor, Jeb Bush, needy issues, issues like Social Security, electoral issues, voting problems from last time and from this time, and by the way, powerful initiatives on the ballot, including a minimum wage initiative which is on the ballot by the Democrats.

When all's said and done, though, I'm going to look at one county. And a lot of people would think I'd be referring to Miami- Dade County, but I'm not. I'm referring to Duval County where Jacksonville is located in the northern part of the state. That's a county that President Bush won by some 45,000 votes four years ago, but there are 27,000 ballots that were thrown out. Most of them African-American, most of them Democrats, or at least so people think, and consequently, if you see the president doing extremely well there again, up by some 40,000 or 50,000, good sign for the president. If it's a 10,000 or 12,000 margin, or even if John Kerry is ahead, bad news.

BLITZER: Let's take a look at Pennsylvania, right now, our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll had these numbers. Likely voters once again. Bush 50 percent, Kerry 46 percent. Several other polls in Pennsylvania show the opposite. But all these polls well within the three-point margin of error.

WATSON: The president's single boldest gamble of this campaign was to visit Pennsylvania more than 40 times, when all is said in done, probably north of 45 times. If he wins it, people will herald him as a hero. If he loses, they'll say why didn't you spend the time in other states?

BLITZER: What about Ohio? We have a poll in Ohio shows Kerry ahead 50 percent for Kerry, 46 percent for Bush. Other polls show Bush ahead in Ohio.

WATSON: Again a lot of confusion and a lot of interest here. You're seeing this is a place where the lawyers are playing maybe a bigger role and the courts than any as they talk about challengers and other such things. I think in Ohio, again, you want to look at what happens in Coyote (ph) County, once again, a northern part of the state, that's where Cleveland is. Four years ago you did not see a heavy African-American turnout. Consequently, where the heavy African-American turnout in Michigan, meaning Detroit, where it made the difference in Pennsylvania, meaning Philadelphia, it didn't in Cleveland. If you see a heavy African-American turnout, John Kerry could do something special and win it.

BLITZER: Carlos Watson with the inside edge. We'll be spending a lot of time together -- quality time over the next day or so. Thank you very much, Carlos.

To our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question is this, will you vote tomorrow? Simple question. You can vote right now. In fact, go to CNN.com/wolf. And more importantly, go out and vote. We'll have the results of our web question of the day later this hour.

On election day tomorrow I'll anchor CNN's coverage from the Nasdaq Market site right in the heart of Times Square here in New York. We'll utilize the large screen television monitors at the Nasdaq to display vote (UNINTELLIGIBLE), exit polls, election data throughout the evening, perhaps well into the morning. Our live coverage from Times Square begins as the first polls close, six states tomorrow, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Another three states will be closing at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, all the results coming up.

Will voting issues in key battleground states take this election into overtime? We'll look at the potential problems in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Live reports coming up from all three states. Plus, that Osama bin Laden videotape, what you didn't see last week.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We wish our bassist could be with us but he's busy running for president. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Band reunited minus a key member. We'll catch up with The Electras for some good old fashioned rock and roll.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Osama bin Laden popped up with an October surprise Friday when the Arabic network, Al-Jazeera released excerpts of a videotape in which he addressed the American people. Now another surprise. Al-Jazeera has released what it says is a full English transcript of the complete Osama bin Laden videotape. In it bin Laden speaks of a plan, and I'm quoting now, "to bleed America until bankruptcy," saying President Bush is using what he calls emergency funds to continue the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Al-Jazeera's English language transcript, Osama bin Laden says al Qaeda has gained, but he also says, quote, "the Bush administration has also gained." He points to what he says are the size of contracts acquired by, quote, "shady Bush administration-linked mega corporations, like Halliburton."

Bin Laden concludes by telling Americans not to squander their security, wealth, and children for the sake of, quote, "the liar in the White House."

What's the motive behind the bin Laden videotape? What can we learn from it? Joining us now for some analysis from Indianapolis, our world affairs analyst, the former defense secretary William Cohen. Mr. Secretary, take us behind the scenes. Analysts in the U.S. government see a videotape like this. What do they look for? What do they search for?

WILLIAM COHEN, CNN WORLD AFFAIRS ANALYST: Well, the first thing they look for is to see whether it's authentic, how recent is the tape, what sort of messages might be hidden in the language. Is it something behind the words so that it might be some kind of a covert signal to operatives both overseas or here at home in the United States.

So they look for all of those things, overt messages and covert as well. In this particular case, I'm not sure it will have much of an impact upon the election. I think most people have made up their minds. If I had to give a slight edge, I would give it to Senator Kerry by virtue not so much of what was said, but how it's been said. If you look at bin Laden, had he come across on the television as the equivalent of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" that, I'm back, that could have played to the advantage of President Bush saying, this is a terrorizer who's determined to kill as many of us as possible.

To the extent that he appeared more of a philosopher and rationalizing historically, now appealing to Americans to save their money, et cetera, I think it plays to the advantage of Senator Kerry. But ultimately, I think most people have made up their mind, or they're close to making up their mind, and will not be influenced heavily one way or the other. BLITZER: It was interesting to me, when you read the whole transcript, to see some of the references to current issues, and some of the knowledge that he would purportedly be showing when he talks about Halliburton, talks about emergency funding to operate in Afghanistan and Iraq, talks about when the president was reading "My Pet Goat" to those children in Florida on the day of 9/11. Is this a more sophisticated Osama bin Laden we're seeing here?

COHEN: Well, I think it's clear that his operatives have been watching television in the United States from the various campaign advertisements that have been going on, various programs, and feeding that to bin Laden in order to make this kind of a presentation. So I think they are keyed into the political system. We have to go back and look at the rhetoric. The rhetoric may be wrapped in the soft cotton wool of rhetoric, so to speak, but behind that is a sword, and what bin Laden is saying is, whether you have a President Bush or a President Kerry, not much is going to change unless you change your policies in the Middle East. And basically saying, get out of the Middle East. And change your policy toward the Palestinians and the Israelis as well. So whether it's going to be President Bush or President Kerry, I think the message is the same, that he's going to be there and continue to try to drive us out of there and elsewhere throughout the Muslim world.

BLITZER: As much as he said this was an address to the American people, Mr. Secretary, I couldn't help but think this was an address to the Arab world, to the Muslim world, and maybe to other parts of the world to show, you know what, I'm not such a bad guy after all. The Americans are awful, but look at me, I'm pretty sophisticated and pretty rational.

COHEN: Two things: number one, I'm pretty sophisticated, pretty rational, and I'm still here. And so the message is that I've gone up against super power number one, the unipower of the world, and they have been unable to crush me or to catch me at this particular point.

So he's sending a message that he can cope with and contend with the super power that exists in the world today. And that's a powerful message to many throughout the Muslim world. So there's a lot of message, even though the words may not seem as threatening as they have been in the past.

BLITZER: William Cohen, our analyst joining us. Thanks very much, Mr. Secretary, for that analysis.

The bloodshed intensifying in the Middle East.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I closed the gate, I heard a large explosion. I saw the yellow flame. I fell right to the floor. I knew right away it was a terrorist attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Terrorism in the hands of a teenager. We'll show you what happened.

Kidnappings in Iraqi, this time another American taken in broad daylight.

Plus, will there be a shift of power in the U.S. Senate? Coming up, a closer look at the key Senate races that will be determined tomorrow. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The Palestinian suicide bomber struck in a crowded Israeli marketplace today, killing at least three people and wounding almost three dozen more. CNN's Matthew Chance reports from the scene in Tel Aviv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A deadly attack on unsuspecting shoppers, weeks of fragile peace on the streets of Israel now shattered. As emergency workers tended to injured, eyewitnesses spoke of their horror.

ELAN MOSKOVSKY, WITNESS: As I closed the gate, I heard a large explosion. I saw the yellow flame. I fell right to the floor, I knew it was a terrorist attack, flew went to the floor, put my hands to my head, and waited for the ambulance. As I looked up, I saw a woman who was decapitated, left leg missing.

CHANCE: A leftist militant group, the popular front for the liberation of Palestine says it ordered this carnage. A bomber from the West Bank it says carried it out. He was just 16.

(on camera): The bomber struck in the heart of this busy shopping district in southern Tel Aviv, in the middle of all the vegetable stores outside a well-known shop selling kosher cheese. Israel says it stops suicide bombers who are planning to carry out these attacks on a daily basis, but this is the devastation when one of those bombers gets through.

(voice-over): There was condemnation from the Palestinian leadership, but Israel's hardline prime minister who ordered tough crackdowns on Palestinian militants in recent months wants much more.

ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The state of Israel will not stop its war against murderist terrorism. This means I'm not changing my policy until there are changes in the Palestinian authority, until it stops its incitement and its terror.

CHANCE: A Palestinian spokesman said that from his hospital bed, Yasser Arafat still the leader condemned the Tel Aviv bombing. Even if his era is coming to an end, it seems the violence of this conflict is not. Matthew Chance, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With provisional ballots and record registration, could Pennsylvania suffer from post-election problems?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: We'll take you to the Keystone state and spell out the issues.

Rain or shine, the polls will be open, but will bad weather be a factor in some key states?

And tomorrow night, I'll be live from the Nasdaq Market site at Times Square with all the poll results as America votes. Up next, I'll take you inside the Nasdaq for a quick look at CNN's high-tech election coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The ground war in three key battleground states. What could go wrong tomorrow and what already has? We'll get to that.

First a quick check of other stories now in the news.

New kidnappings in Iraq. The country's interior ministry says an American, a Sri Lankan and four Iraqis were abducted from their office in west Baghdad this afternoon. A U.S. official says there was a gun fight, and that a guard for the victims was killed, along with one of the kidnappers. We're watching this story. Get more information as it becomes available.

The Chief Justice William Rehnquist, was a surprise no-show at the U.S. Supreme Court today. The 80-year-old justice treated last week for thyroid cancer had intended to preside today, but issued a statement saying doctors found his plan too optimistic. He's undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

Closing arguments in the Scott Peterson murder trial. The prosecutor told jurors Peterson killed his wife, Laci, and their unborn child because he wanted out of what was described as a dull married life with kids. Defense closing arguments are up next. Peterson could get the death penalty if convicted.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Back now to the final lap in the race for the White House. With only hours left before the first polls open, trouble is brewing in several battleground states, including Ohio, with its prize of 20 electoral votes. In the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll in the Buckeye State, John Kerry holds a four-point lead over George W. Bush among likely voters, but it's in the courts, where the battle is raging already.

For that, we go to CNN's Adaora Udoji. She's in Canton -- Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wolf, you're absolutely correct.

In fact, the eve -- on the eve of the election, the Democrats and Republicans are still fighting in court. Today, Democrats claiming victory after two courts ruled in their favor, but Republicans are now appealing. And all of these last-minute legal maneuverings are causing confusion.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI (voice-over): In Ohio, they're readying ballots for a presidential election that's intensely dividing the state, nearly split between supporting President Bush or Senator Kerry.

To the last minute, Democrats and Republicans also are battling in court, the latest about challengers, partisan volunteers allowed to question a voter's eligibility at polling stations on Election Day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would it affect my vote? Absolutely not, but it might affect other people's vote. But it also might make chaos, and nobody needs any chaos.

UDOJI: That's what Democrats argue, saying Republicans want to intimidate voters. Republicans deny that, saying they're concerned about voter fraud. They appealed Judge Susan Dlott's order to bar challengers at the polling stations.

MARK WEAVER, OHIO GOP ATTORNEY: We think that's not only erroneous, but she's overstepped her authority as a federal judge to do that.

UDOJI: Another federal judge in Ohio issued a similar ruling.

Meanwhile, both parties claim they've got tens of thousands of volunteers helping to get out the vote, a finale in unprecedented campaigns. This year, they have more voters to lobby. Record- breaking drives put 800,000 new voters on the rolls. At stake, 20 electoral votes, and everyone seems to agree, the party who gets their supporters to the poll will win.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI: A federal appeals court could rule at any moment, and that is of great concern to a Board of Election officials. They're just not convinced, Wolf, that, come 6:30 tomorrow morning here in Ohio, they're going to know what to tell their poll workers how to handle some of these issues -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adaora Udoji in Canton for us, thank you very much.

Pennsylvania, another battleground up for grabs, and like several other showdown states, its 21 electoral votes could determine the winner. Our latest poll of likely voters shows Bush leading Kerry by four points, 50 to 46 percent. But there are several issues that could spell big trouble in the Keystone State tomorrow.

CNN's Jason Carroll joining us now live Lower Macungie -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, election officials say that they've anticipated problems, and they're prepared. There will be attorneys and poll watchers on hand to make sure.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL (voice-over): There are several potential reasons why there could be post-election problems in Pennsylvania. Reason one, provisional ballots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are what are provisional ballots, already packed for the polls.

CARROLL: Now required by law, the ballots are used in part so registered voters whose names aren't in the state system can still vote.

JANE ERVIN, LEHIGH COUNTY EXECUTIVE: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.

CARROLL: Reason two, a record increase in voter registration, thanks to get-out-the-vote efforts by both parties.

But election workers say their new computer system called SURE isn't processing registrants fast enough.

DEENA DEAN, BUCK COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS: SURE has not helped us. SURE has hindered us.

CARROLL: Reason three, partisan challenges. Democrats accuse Republicans of voter intimidation tactics in urban areas. Not true, say Republicans, like Senator Rick Santorum, who accused Democrats of padding registration rolls with ineligible voters.

SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: We just don't want fraud. We just want people who are eligible to vote to have their vote counted. And those who aren't, don't.

CARROLL: Democratic Governor Ed Rendell denied allegations of padding the rolls on a last-minute celebrity get-out-the-vote campaign.

GOV. ED RENDELL (D), PENNSYLVANIA: People have got to calm down, get a grip on themselves. As much as I want John Kerry to win, I wouldn't cheat and violate the process that I believe sets America apart from every other country in the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: I spoke to one poll watcher who told me she's going to be watching out to make sure that there are no irregularities. Some election workers say that they're not going to worry about who's watching them. They're going to focus on making sure the process goes as smoothly as possible -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jason Carroll in Pennsylvania, thank you very much.

We all remember the election nightmare in Florida four years ago. With the stakes just as high this time around, there are clear signs of more problems. Of all the battleground states, Florida's 27 electoral votes right now the biggest prize. In our latest poll of likely voters, Kerry edges Bush by three points, 49 percent to 46 percent.

With the latest on what's happening in the Sunshine State, CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman joining us now live. He's in West Palm Beach -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we all know it's not Election Day yet, but it sure feels like it is here at the supervisor of elections office in Palm Beach County.

That's because early voting in the state has been wildly popular. Behind me, you can see the people waiting in line for early voting. It's been going on for two weeks. The polls closed here 35 minutes ago, but this is still the line to get in. It's been up to 350 people at times. There are now police in the back of the line telling people they can no longer join it.

But I just talked with someone in the front of the line. He's been on the line since 1:30. He's finally the front person at 5:35.

Now, inside the building behind me, something very interesting's been going on, deja vu of sorts. The Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, a three-member board, looking very carefully at forms. Now, it looks like what they were doing four years ago, looking at the hanging and dimpled chads on the punch card ballots. Well, now they're looking at signatures on absentee ballots, comparing them to the signatures of those voters when they originally registered to vote.

When signatures look different, they take a vote among themselves whether to allow that absentee ballot to be used in the election. Sometimes they vote yes. Sometimes they vote no. Either way, they're Democratic and Republican operatives in the room, objecting when they don't agree with the decision. But it looks like very similar to what we saw four years ago. Four years ago, of course, a ton of problems, and there have already been some other problems here this year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: Emma (ph), show me on the registration form what you forgot to fill out?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. 4.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Emma Diaz (ph) forgot to check a box on her voter registration form saying she was mentally competent. Because of that, she won't be allowed to cast a ballot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's unfair. TUCHMAN: She was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Florida and its secretary of state, Glenda Hood. The lawsuit failed.

GLENDA HOOD, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: Individuals and groups and political parties feel that the only way that they can get media attention and get some attention is through litigation.

TUCHMAN: It was one of many election-related lawsuits filed here, four years after the state's election fiasco. The problems were varied, ranging from the hanging chads on punch card ballots to the so-called butterfly ballot in Palm Beach County, where many accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan, instead of Al Gore.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got a call the next morning from Japan, my granddaughter. Grandma, what did you do? What happened there? I says, I don't want to talk about it. She says, who did you vote for? I'm not talking, because I was so confused. And I thought I was violated.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: Those ladies will not have to worry about the punch card ballot this year. It's been banned in the entire state of Florida. Here in Palm Beach Florida, they're using those touch-screen machines -- Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much.

People waiting in those long lines, here's a recommendation. Bring a good book or at least a good newspaper, something to do while you're waiting. It will make the time go by faster.

The true wild card when it comes to voter turnout, at least one of those could be the weather.

CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano is in the CNN Weather Center in Atlanta with a quick look at where nature may have an impact on voting tomorrow -- Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Wolf.

There's a number of swing states that will be affected by inclement weather that may keep some voters from the polls. This is our radar right now, a big mess, a lot of rain from the Canadian border all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, even some snows across not only Denver, but much of the state of Colorado.

Here's how the forecast shapes up for tomorrow. Florida, swing state for sure, but maybe going to the beach, instead of the polls, nice weather there. No problem. Across the Northeast, looking pretty good as well.

Where we run into problems, Western PA, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, rain, could be heavy at times, and a cold rain at that. Denver after snows today do dry out and warm up with sunshine tomorrow. Oregon, also a swing state, rain moving in there, but most of those folks pretty used to the rain this time of year. And some of the rain across parts of Arkansas could be heavy at times.

That's the latest, Wolf. Ohio could see some heavy rain throughout the day tomorrow. Get out and vote, if you haven't done so already -- back to you.

BLITZER: Rob Marciano, thank you very much.

A lot of people believe the better the weather, potentially, the better it is for John Kerry, voter turnout being critical. We'll watch the weather. We'll watch the turnout to see if that assumption holds.

No state will be more closely watched tomorrow than Florida.

CNN's Paula Zahn is already there. She's holding a town hall meeting tonight in Kissimmee to hear what Florida voters are prepared to say.

Paula joining us now live with a preview -- Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf. Greetings from the Sunshine State.

And it's sunny outside, so it doesn't look like weather will have much of an effect on the vote here tomorrow. Kissimmee is near Disney World and Orlando. But for political junkies, there's an even bigger attraction. We're in what they call the I-4 Corridor. And many consider that 132-mile stretch of highway that connects Tampa on the west coach to Daytona Beach on the east coast as the swing part of this battleground state.

And tonight, I'll will be 105 registered voters in this room. About a quarter of them are still undecided, even on this day before the election. And they'll be putting questions to Senator Bob Graham, who will be representing the Kerry/Edwards campaign, and Ralph Reed, who is the Southeastern regional chairman. It should be quite the scramble here tonight, Paul -- Wolf, that is.

BLITZER: Well, give our viewers, Paula, a little sense of what you're feeling, the mood down there in Florida.

ZAHN: Well, it's interesting, because none of these voters want a repeat of about what happened in their state in the year 2000.

And if you look at one of our latest poll results, it's pretty telling. While you have got 73 percent of the population basically saying they're either very confident or confident, period, about their votes being accurately counted, you have got 26 percent of the folks polled who do not think that's the case. And I think there's a lot of cynicism about the process, and I would suspect you'll hear a little of that run through the questions here tonight.

BLITZER: Paula Zahn will host the town hall meeting in Kissimmee tonight, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, more of it at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

Paula, we'll all be watching a special edition of "PAULA ZAHN NOW" tonight in Florida.

ZAHN: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: The presidential race is not the only close race grabbing voters' attention. A preview of several key Senate races taking place tomorrow that could tip the balance of power on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Also ahead:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON, DAUGHTER OF BILL CLINTON: When I was asked to join the campaign trail, I was a little nervous. I'm not accustomed to public speaking, and this is my first political speech.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Chelsea Clinton joining some other famous Democratic daughters on the campaign trail. We'll hear from her.

Plus, this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the sound of the Electras.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: They'd like to play again, but they're missing their bass guitarist. We'll catch up with John Kerry's former band members later in the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: While the presidential race is generating most of this year's political excitement, Capitol Hill insiders are keeping a very close eye on the U.S. Senate races and looking out for potential turnovers. Democrats hope to take over control of the Senate by forcing Republicans to turn over seats. Republicans, on the other hand, hope to increase their majority by forcing Democratic turnovers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Of the 34 Senate race this year, there are just 10 where party turnovers are considered possible, and just two where turnovers are considered likely.

One virtually certain turnover is in Illinois, where Barack Obama, the keynote speaker at this year's Democratic Convention, is expected to easily defeat conservative activist Alan Keyes, taking over the seat currently held by Republican Peter Fitzgerald.

The other likely turnover is in Georgia, where Republican Johnny Isakson is expected to win the seat being vacated by Democrat Zell Miller, a conservative who's actually campaigning for the president. With those likely turnovers in Illinois and Georgia offsetting each other, attention turns to eight other races where turnovers are considered possible. In Alaska, Democrats are hoping Tony Knowles can defeat Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski.

STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Murkowski has had significant problems over the past few months establishing herself apart from her father, Governor Frank Murkowski, who's not popular.

BLITZER (on camera): He appointed her.

ROTHENBERG: He appointed her to the office.

BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats also think they have shots at taking over for retiring Republicans in Colorado and Oklahoma. Republicans, on the other hand, would dearly love to see John Thune unseat Democratic Minority Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: I have been a strong, strong supporter of John Thune, who has demonstrated bold leadership in the past for the citizens of South Dakota, who has very clearly spelled out the differences between he and his opponent, Tom Daschle.

BLITZER: The GOP also has potential opportunities to take over open Democratic seats in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

How will it end? The best-case scenario for Democrats, they win a Senate majority with as many as 52 senators and the support of Vermont independent Jim Jeffords. The best-case scenario for Republicans, they retain and increase their majority with as many as 57 senators and force Democrats to seek a new minority leader to replace Daschle.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We'll find out tomorrow night what's happening in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, governors' races, the presidential contest. CNN's prime-time election night coverage begins 7:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow. We'll be broadcasting from the Nasdaq marketsite here in New York City in Times Square.

A little earlier, I went over to our election broadcast center to take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We're going to take you on a tour now of CNN election headquarters right at the Nasdaq marketsite in the heart of Times Square, specifically Broadway and 43rd.

Let's take a look at what we can do on these 72 video screens. At any one time, we can put a lot of information up behind me. The governors' races, right now, there are 28 Republicans, 22 Democrats. We'll be watching what happens there. The Senate races, the balance of power so tight in the U.S. Senate right now, 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, one independent, Jim Jeffords of Vermont, who usually votes with the Democrats. The total votes at any one time, we'll have maps galore, maps of the United States and all of the states, including counties, if necessary, if the battle goes well into the night.

We'll see where people are voting and how they're voting, the all-important Electoral College; 270, as all of you know, needed to be elected president of the United States. One of the interesting things in our wall-to-wall, coast-to-coast, border-to-border coverage, you know what we could do? We can put all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, up at any one time.

Look at this. And we can go to any state and see what the vote is, what percentage of the people have voted already, what -- which states we've projected a winning candidate in, which states are still too close to call. This is going to be a fabulous time for all of us here at CNN. We've done a lot of work to do this. And we hope you'll join us right here Tuesday night.

And perhaps beyond.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Bringing back the band. We'll groove with the Electras, John Kerry's former band mates. This will be groovy. We'll get to all of that.

First, a look at some other stories you may have missed this past weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Democratic daughter on the campaign trail in Tampa, Florida, Saturday. The all-female all-star offspring included Vanessa Kerry and Cate Edwards, along with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, Karenna Gore Schiff, and Chelsea Clinton, who made her first ever political speech.

CLINTON: I believe in John Kerry and John Edwards. I believe in their vision and their plans for America. And I know that they will succeed because of what we experienced during the eight years when my father was president.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BLITZER: Slugging for pop. President Bush's twin daughters were also on the stump. Barbara and Jenna Bush made multiple appearances in New Jersey Saturday, urging voters to back the Bush-Cheney team and thanking campaign volunteers.

Red Sox rapture. An estimated 3.2 million people turned out despite chilly, rainy weather for the Red Sox victory parade. It was Boston's first such celebration in 86 years.

And that's our weekend snapshot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Members of an obscure band from the '60s are trying to get back together, if they can only get one of their original members, who's no longer obscure, to slow down a little bit and join them for a reunion.

CNN's Brian Todd has the story of this old rocker and his high school band.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He won't sing, but John Kerry's clearly comfortable behind the guitar, a talent more than 40 years in the making.

September 1960, St. Paul's School, a private academy in Concord, New Hampshire, some blue-blooded teenagers, feeling rebellious, decide to form a garage band. They're all good guitar players, but no one can or wants to play bass guitar, until one of them is pressed into duty, one John Kerry.

LARRY RAND, FOUNDING MEMBER, THE ELECTRAS: He was willing to do it, knowing that the bass player always takes the back seat.

TODD: Influenced by surf instrumentals of the late '50s and early '60s and bands like the Ventures, they start jamming. The sound is primitive at first, but the boys sharpen their skills, start playing for audiences at St. Paul's and other private schools nearby, and name themselves after a popular car their parents were driving.

They're underage and can't play in clubs, but, in January 1962, they release their own self-titled album, "The Electras," 13 songs, most of them covers from other bands, shoulder-wagging beach riffs like "Yellow Jackets."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the sound of the Electras.

TODD: Three of the original four, bassist John Kerry, guitarists Jon Prouty and Larry Rand, graduate in 1962. Drummer Peter Lang is a class behind them and keeps the spark going, recruiting nine other members for four different lineups of the Electras until the band dissolves in the summer of '63.

John Kerry's experience would fuel a lifetime connection with rock 'n' roll. John Prouty is now an architect in Colorado. Larry Rand teaches constitutional law at a private school in Connecticut. Peter Lang is a surgeon in Massachusetts. I asked Prouty and Rand about their famous friend.

(on camera): The key question that everybody wants to know, what is John Kerry like as an 18-year-old, Larry? RAND: John was cooperative and dedicated. He was great to work with. The hours and hours that we spent together as Electras are far and away my fondest memories at St. Paul's School.

JON PROUTY, FOUNDING MEMBER, THE ELECTRAS: John, unlike the rest of the band, clearly had commitment and vision to something more than playing rock 'n' roll and getting into college.

TODD: Those innocent years still fresh for two 60-year-old weekend rockers.

RAND: This is the sound of the Electras.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: John Prouty and Larry Rand have released a CD of that one and only album and are trying to arrange a reunion of the four original members of the Electras, possibly in January, and regardless of what happens tomorrow -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Brian Todd, thanks very much. Excellent report.

And when we come back, the results of our Web question of the day. That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day. A simple question: Will you vote tomorrow? Eighty-nine percent of you say yes; 11 percent say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Tomorrow, CNN's entire election team will be here in New York broadcasting live from the Nasdaq marketsite in the heart of Times Square. We'll use the latest technology of the world's largest stock market to bring you details about every candidate, every race as you've never seen it before, special prime-time coverage beginning 7:00 p.m. Eastern, continuing until the election is decided.

Thanks very much for joining us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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 November 1, 2004 - 17:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, HOST: Happening now. It's the day before the election and voters in West Palm Beach, Florida. You're looking live at these pictures, lining up to pick the next president of the United States. Which candidate goes into election day with an edge?
Stand by for hard news on WOLF BLITZER REPORTS.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): Election eve. They're at the finish line and it's still a dead heat.

SEN. JOHN KERRY (D-MA), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: All of the hopes and dreams of our country are on the line today.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: ...the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.

BLITZER: Problems at the poll. Is the battle just beginning in key battleground states?

Turnout or washout? Will the weather weigh on the election results?

Balance of power. A game of musical chairs, with the Senate at stake.

And he now hangs out with Springsteen and Bon Jovi but once he had his own band. We'll look back with the Electras.

ANNOUNCER: This is WOLF BLITZER REPORTS for Monday, November 1, 2004.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Thanks for joining us from New York City. With election day just hours away, the candidates are racing from battleground to battleground. President Bush is making seven stops on his final campaign swing. But the candidates have done just about all they can. This extraordinarily close race is now in the hands of the voters. We begin on the trail with our White House correspondent Dana Bash.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and Mrs. Laura Bush!

DANA BASH, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A dramatic arrival in the familiar trappings of the presidency staged to set the incumbent apart from his challenger, staged to show confidence.

CURT SCHILLING, BOSTON RED SOX PITCHER: It sounds like we've got a few Red Sox fans out here. It sounds like we have a few George Bush fans out here.

BASH: Then an introduction by Boston Red Sox pitcher, Curt Schilling, hero of John Kerry's hometown.

BUSH: There's nothing like an early morning rally in the great state of Ohio.

BASH: Ohio is the first in a seven-stop Bush sprint. He won here in 2000 but it's in jeopardy because of job loss, which he acknowledges.

BUSH: I know the economy of this state has been through a lot, but we're moving in the right direction.

BASH: The president's top aide boasts they'll win Ohio, and then some.

KARL ROVE, SR. WHITE HOUSE ADVISER: We're ahead. We're going to win, we're going to win. We will win Florida and Ohio. We will take at least two or three or four states that were won by Gore in the last election.

BASH: After Ohio, four of those Gore blue states are on the itinerary: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa, and New Mexico before going home to Texas. Along the way the president uncharacteristically seeks out reporters.

BUSH: I just want to assure you I have got the energy and the optimism and the enthusiasm to cross the line.

BASH: Public bravado but some nervousness behind the scenes. Bush aides concede historically undecideds usually don't break for the incumbent. Mr. Bush doesn't hold a majority in many states he needs to win, but the president is running on antiterrorism credentials he thinks can help defy trends.

BUSH: I want to continue telling the people what I intend to protect them.

BASH: That, aides hope, will make undecideds think twice before switching horses. But the reality is, at this point, the president has already made his policy arguments, already torn into his opponent. All that's left for him is the final sales pitch.

BUSH: I ask you to come stand with me. (on camera): Now it's about the ground game where Democrats traditionally have the upper hand, but Bush aides say they have 1.4 million volunteers, that's three times what they had four years ago, but they also concede the Democrats turnout operation is well-funded and therefore could be hard to match. Dana Bash, CNN, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: In his final push, the Democrat John Kerry is pushing voters to turn out at the polls. Kerry began today in Florida, but is now focusing in on the Midwest, right up through a late-night rally in Ohio. Our national correspondent Frank Buckley on the trail, joining us live from Milwaukee -- Frank.

FRANK BUCKLEY, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, for a while today Milwaukee was the center of the political universe, both candidates, both President Bush and Senator Kerry, were both here in Milwaukee, about an hour apart from each other. In fact, at one point, Senator Kerry, as his motorcade was coming into the city, President Bush was going wheels up in Air Force One right overhead. But both of their appearances were very brief. Senator Kerry's appearance here in Milwaukee, part of his attempt to do several touchdown events in several media markets across four battleground states.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KERRY: So are you ready to take this thing and win and finish it off and get the job done?

BUCKLEY (voice-over): Senator John Kerry fired up his supporters in Florida for one last time, the state where the 2000 election ended, where Kerry began his last full day of campaigning. Next stop, Wisconsin where Kerry donned a Boston Red Sox cap and rallied the base in the rain in Milwaukee, Kerry asking the faithful to bring their friends to the polls, too.

KERRY: I need you in these hours to go out and do the hard work, knock on those doors, make those phone calls, talk to friends, take people to the polls, help us change the direction of this great nation for the better.

BUCKLEY: Kerry's message on election eve, he is the man for the middle class.

KERRY: George Bush keeps choosing the wealthy, the powerful, the drug companies, the oil companies. I think the White House ought to be occupied by a champion for the middle class and those struggling to get in it.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BUCKLEY (on camera): Advisers expressing a great deal of confidence in victory tomorrow. They believe, Wolf, that undecided voters and the newly registered voters will break their way at the end of the day. From here Senator Kerry is off to Michigan for an appearance in Detroit with Stevie Wonder. He'll be in Ohio, two different media markets there, Toledo and Cleveland, Bruce Springsteen performing at one of those events, and then finally he's going to return to Wisconsin overnighting in La Crosse, Wisconsin -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Frank Buckley in Milwaukee for us. Thank you, Frank, very much.

As the presidential candidates wind down their campaign. And I said, as the presidential candidates wind down their campaigns, the polls right now remaining just about as close as they can be. Look at this. Our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup shows George Bush leading John Kerry 49 percent to 47 percent among likely voters. That's well within the sampling error. And when the undecided vote is removed, the poll shows Bush and Kerry in a dead heat among likely voters, 49 percent for Bush, 49 percent for Kerry.

Our poll of polls, combining the results of eight separate national surveys is almost as close. It shows Bush with a two-point lead, 48 percent to Kerry's 46 percent.

What does this all mean? CNN political analyst Carlos Watson with the inside edge. Carlos, I want to show our viewers what's happening in your home state of Florida right now. There were some headlines in some of the major newspapers in Florida, the "Orlando Sentinel" had a headline "It's Numbers Game At End," the "Palm Beach Post," "Polls Hint At Key Role For State Again," the "Sun-Sentinel" had this little modest headline, "Final Frenzy in Florida."

Our latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, the last one we'll do for Florida has Kerry at 49 percent, Bush at 46 percent. A three-point margin of error. What's your take on what's happening in Florida?

CARLOS WATSON, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: The incredible thing about Florida is it's the ultimate microcosm of this election. There are probably a dozen different factors floating around this election nationally and Florida has almost all of them. Lots of money, important surrogates, including the governor, Jeb Bush, needy issues, issues like Social Security, electoral issues, voting problems from last time and from this time, and by the way, powerful initiatives on the ballot, including a minimum wage initiative which is on the ballot by the Democrats.

When all's said and done, though, I'm going to look at one county. And a lot of people would think I'd be referring to Miami- Dade County, but I'm not. I'm referring to Duval County where Jacksonville is located in the northern part of the state. That's a county that President Bush won by some 45,000 votes four years ago, but there are 27,000 ballots that were thrown out. Most of them African-American, most of them Democrats, or at least so people think, and consequently, if you see the president doing extremely well there again, up by some 40,000 or 50,000, good sign for the president. If it's a 10,000 or 12,000 margin, or even if John Kerry is ahead, bad news.

BLITZER: Let's take a look at Pennsylvania, right now, our final CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll had these numbers. Likely voters once again. Bush 50 percent, Kerry 46 percent. Several other polls in Pennsylvania show the opposite. But all these polls well within the three-point margin of error.

WATSON: The president's single boldest gamble of this campaign was to visit Pennsylvania more than 40 times, when all is said in done, probably north of 45 times. If he wins it, people will herald him as a hero. If he loses, they'll say why didn't you spend the time in other states?

BLITZER: What about Ohio? We have a poll in Ohio shows Kerry ahead 50 percent for Kerry, 46 percent for Bush. Other polls show Bush ahead in Ohio.

WATSON: Again a lot of confusion and a lot of interest here. You're seeing this is a place where the lawyers are playing maybe a bigger role and the courts than any as they talk about challengers and other such things. I think in Ohio, again, you want to look at what happens in Coyote (ph) County, once again, a northern part of the state, that's where Cleveland is. Four years ago you did not see a heavy African-American turnout. Consequently, where the heavy African-American turnout in Michigan, meaning Detroit, where it made the difference in Pennsylvania, meaning Philadelphia, it didn't in Cleveland. If you see a heavy African-American turnout, John Kerry could do something special and win it.

BLITZER: Carlos Watson with the inside edge. We'll be spending a lot of time together -- quality time over the next day or so. Thank you very much, Carlos.

To our viewers, here's your chance to weigh in on the story. Our web question is this, will you vote tomorrow? Simple question. You can vote right now. In fact, go to CNN.com/wolf. And more importantly, go out and vote. We'll have the results of our web question of the day later this hour.

On election day tomorrow I'll anchor CNN's coverage from the Nasdaq Market site right in the heart of Times Square here in New York. We'll utilize the large screen television monitors at the Nasdaq to display vote (UNINTELLIGIBLE), exit polls, election data throughout the evening, perhaps well into the morning. Our live coverage from Times Square begins as the first polls close, six states tomorrow, at 7:00 p.m. Eastern. Another three states will be closing at 7:30 p.m. Eastern, all the results coming up.

Will voting issues in key battleground states take this election into overtime? We'll look at the potential problems in Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Live reports coming up from all three states. Plus, that Osama bin Laden videotape, what you didn't see last week.

And later...

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We wish our bassist could be with us but he's busy running for president. (END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Band reunited minus a key member. We'll catch up with The Electras for some good old fashioned rock and roll.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Osama bin Laden popped up with an October surprise Friday when the Arabic network, Al-Jazeera released excerpts of a videotape in which he addressed the American people. Now another surprise. Al-Jazeera has released what it says is a full English transcript of the complete Osama bin Laden videotape. In it bin Laden speaks of a plan, and I'm quoting now, "to bleed America until bankruptcy," saying President Bush is using what he calls emergency funds to continue the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

In Al-Jazeera's English language transcript, Osama bin Laden says al Qaeda has gained, but he also says, quote, "the Bush administration has also gained." He points to what he says are the size of contracts acquired by, quote, "shady Bush administration-linked mega corporations, like Halliburton."

Bin Laden concludes by telling Americans not to squander their security, wealth, and children for the sake of, quote, "the liar in the White House."

What's the motive behind the bin Laden videotape? What can we learn from it? Joining us now for some analysis from Indianapolis, our world affairs analyst, the former defense secretary William Cohen. Mr. Secretary, take us behind the scenes. Analysts in the U.S. government see a videotape like this. What do they look for? What do they search for?

WILLIAM COHEN, CNN WORLD AFFAIRS ANALYST: Well, the first thing they look for is to see whether it's authentic, how recent is the tape, what sort of messages might be hidden in the language. Is it something behind the words so that it might be some kind of a covert signal to operatives both overseas or here at home in the United States.

So they look for all of those things, overt messages and covert as well. In this particular case, I'm not sure it will have much of an impact upon the election. I think most people have made up their minds. If I had to give a slight edge, I would give it to Senator Kerry by virtue not so much of what was said, but how it's been said. If you look at bin Laden, had he come across on the television as the equivalent of Jack Nicholson in "The Shining" that, I'm back, that could have played to the advantage of President Bush saying, this is a terrorizer who's determined to kill as many of us as possible.

To the extent that he appeared more of a philosopher and rationalizing historically, now appealing to Americans to save their money, et cetera, I think it plays to the advantage of Senator Kerry. But ultimately, I think most people have made up their mind, or they're close to making up their mind, and will not be influenced heavily one way or the other. BLITZER: It was interesting to me, when you read the whole transcript, to see some of the references to current issues, and some of the knowledge that he would purportedly be showing when he talks about Halliburton, talks about emergency funding to operate in Afghanistan and Iraq, talks about when the president was reading "My Pet Goat" to those children in Florida on the day of 9/11. Is this a more sophisticated Osama bin Laden we're seeing here?

COHEN: Well, I think it's clear that his operatives have been watching television in the United States from the various campaign advertisements that have been going on, various programs, and feeding that to bin Laden in order to make this kind of a presentation. So I think they are keyed into the political system. We have to go back and look at the rhetoric. The rhetoric may be wrapped in the soft cotton wool of rhetoric, so to speak, but behind that is a sword, and what bin Laden is saying is, whether you have a President Bush or a President Kerry, not much is going to change unless you change your policies in the Middle East. And basically saying, get out of the Middle East. And change your policy toward the Palestinians and the Israelis as well. So whether it's going to be President Bush or President Kerry, I think the message is the same, that he's going to be there and continue to try to drive us out of there and elsewhere throughout the Muslim world.

BLITZER: As much as he said this was an address to the American people, Mr. Secretary, I couldn't help but think this was an address to the Arab world, to the Muslim world, and maybe to other parts of the world to show, you know what, I'm not such a bad guy after all. The Americans are awful, but look at me, I'm pretty sophisticated and pretty rational.

COHEN: Two things: number one, I'm pretty sophisticated, pretty rational, and I'm still here. And so the message is that I've gone up against super power number one, the unipower of the world, and they have been unable to crush me or to catch me at this particular point.

So he's sending a message that he can cope with and contend with the super power that exists in the world today. And that's a powerful message to many throughout the Muslim world. So there's a lot of message, even though the words may not seem as threatening as they have been in the past.

BLITZER: William Cohen, our analyst joining us. Thanks very much, Mr. Secretary, for that analysis.

The bloodshed intensifying in the Middle East.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As I closed the gate, I heard a large explosion. I saw the yellow flame. I fell right to the floor. I knew right away it was a terrorist attack.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Terrorism in the hands of a teenager. We'll show you what happened.

Kidnappings in Iraqi, this time another American taken in broad daylight.

Plus, will there be a shift of power in the U.S. Senate? Coming up, a closer look at the key Senate races that will be determined tomorrow. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: The Palestinian suicide bomber struck in a crowded Israeli marketplace today, killing at least three people and wounding almost three dozen more. CNN's Matthew Chance reports from the scene in Tel Aviv.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A deadly attack on unsuspecting shoppers, weeks of fragile peace on the streets of Israel now shattered. As emergency workers tended to injured, eyewitnesses spoke of their horror.

ELAN MOSKOVSKY, WITNESS: As I closed the gate, I heard a large explosion. I saw the yellow flame. I fell right to the floor, I knew it was a terrorist attack, flew went to the floor, put my hands to my head, and waited for the ambulance. As I looked up, I saw a woman who was decapitated, left leg missing.

CHANCE: A leftist militant group, the popular front for the liberation of Palestine says it ordered this carnage. A bomber from the West Bank it says carried it out. He was just 16.

(on camera): The bomber struck in the heart of this busy shopping district in southern Tel Aviv, in the middle of all the vegetable stores outside a well-known shop selling kosher cheese. Israel says it stops suicide bombers who are planning to carry out these attacks on a daily basis, but this is the devastation when one of those bombers gets through.

(voice-over): There was condemnation from the Palestinian leadership, but Israel's hardline prime minister who ordered tough crackdowns on Palestinian militants in recent months wants much more.

ARIEL SHARON, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER (through translator): The state of Israel will not stop its war against murderist terrorism. This means I'm not changing my policy until there are changes in the Palestinian authority, until it stops its incitement and its terror.

CHANCE: A Palestinian spokesman said that from his hospital bed, Yasser Arafat still the leader condemned the Tel Aviv bombing. Even if his era is coming to an end, it seems the violence of this conflict is not. Matthew Chance, CNN, Tel Aviv.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: With provisional ballots and record registration, could Pennsylvania suffer from post-election problems?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: We'll take you to the Keystone state and spell out the issues.

Rain or shine, the polls will be open, but will bad weather be a factor in some key states?

And tomorrow night, I'll be live from the Nasdaq Market site at Times Square with all the poll results as America votes. Up next, I'll take you inside the Nasdaq for a quick look at CNN's high-tech election coverage.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Welcome back. The ground war in three key battleground states. What could go wrong tomorrow and what already has? We'll get to that.

First a quick check of other stories now in the news.

New kidnappings in Iraq. The country's interior ministry says an American, a Sri Lankan and four Iraqis were abducted from their office in west Baghdad this afternoon. A U.S. official says there was a gun fight, and that a guard for the victims was killed, along with one of the kidnappers. We're watching this story. Get more information as it becomes available.

The Chief Justice William Rehnquist, was a surprise no-show at the U.S. Supreme Court today. The 80-year-old justice treated last week for thyroid cancer had intended to preside today, but issued a statement saying doctors found his plan too optimistic. He's undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

Closing arguments in the Scott Peterson murder trial. The prosecutor told jurors Peterson killed his wife, Laci, and their unborn child because he wanted out of what was described as a dull married life with kids. Defense closing arguments are up next. Peterson could get the death penalty if convicted.

Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

Back now to the final lap in the race for the White House. With only hours left before the first polls open, trouble is brewing in several battleground states, including Ohio, with its prize of 20 electoral votes. In the latest CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll in the Buckeye State, John Kerry holds a four-point lead over George W. Bush among likely voters, but it's in the courts, where the battle is raging already.

For that, we go to CNN's Adaora Udoji. She's in Canton -- Adaora.

ADAORA UDOJI, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wolf, you're absolutely correct.

In fact, the eve -- on the eve of the election, the Democrats and Republicans are still fighting in court. Today, Democrats claiming victory after two courts ruled in their favor, but Republicans are now appealing. And all of these last-minute legal maneuverings are causing confusion.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI (voice-over): In Ohio, they're readying ballots for a presidential election that's intensely dividing the state, nearly split between supporting President Bush or Senator Kerry.

To the last minute, Democrats and Republicans also are battling in court, the latest about challengers, partisan volunteers allowed to question a voter's eligibility at polling stations on Election Day.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Would it affect my vote? Absolutely not, but it might affect other people's vote. But it also might make chaos, and nobody needs any chaos.

UDOJI: That's what Democrats argue, saying Republicans want to intimidate voters. Republicans deny that, saying they're concerned about voter fraud. They appealed Judge Susan Dlott's order to bar challengers at the polling stations.

MARK WEAVER, OHIO GOP ATTORNEY: We think that's not only erroneous, but she's overstepped her authority as a federal judge to do that.

UDOJI: Another federal judge in Ohio issued a similar ruling.

Meanwhile, both parties claim they've got tens of thousands of volunteers helping to get out the vote, a finale in unprecedented campaigns. This year, they have more voters to lobby. Record- breaking drives put 800,000 new voters on the rolls. At stake, 20 electoral votes, and everyone seems to agree, the party who gets their supporters to the poll will win.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

UDOJI: A federal appeals court could rule at any moment, and that is of great concern to a Board of Election officials. They're just not convinced, Wolf, that, come 6:30 tomorrow morning here in Ohio, they're going to know what to tell their poll workers how to handle some of these issues -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Adaora Udoji in Canton for us, thank you very much.

Pennsylvania, another battleground up for grabs, and like several other showdown states, its 21 electoral votes could determine the winner. Our latest poll of likely voters shows Bush leading Kerry by four points, 50 to 46 percent. But there are several issues that could spell big trouble in the Keystone State tomorrow.

CNN's Jason Carroll joining us now live Lower Macungie -- Jason.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, election officials say that they've anticipated problems, and they're prepared. There will be attorneys and poll watchers on hand to make sure.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL (voice-over): There are several potential reasons why there could be post-election problems in Pennsylvania. Reason one, provisional ballots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: These are what are provisional ballots, already packed for the polls.

CARROLL: Now required by law, the ballots are used in part so registered voters whose names aren't in the state system can still vote.

JANE ERVIN, LEHIGH COUNTY EXECUTIVE: It's going to be a challenge to make sure we do it accurately.

CARROLL: Reason two, a record increase in voter registration, thanks to get-out-the-vote efforts by both parties.

But election workers say their new computer system called SURE isn't processing registrants fast enough.

DEENA DEAN, BUCK COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS: SURE has not helped us. SURE has hindered us.

CARROLL: Reason three, partisan challenges. Democrats accuse Republicans of voter intimidation tactics in urban areas. Not true, say Republicans, like Senator Rick Santorum, who accused Democrats of padding registration rolls with ineligible voters.

SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: We just don't want fraud. We just want people who are eligible to vote to have their vote counted. And those who aren't, don't.

CARROLL: Democratic Governor Ed Rendell denied allegations of padding the rolls on a last-minute celebrity get-out-the-vote campaign.

GOV. ED RENDELL (D), PENNSYLVANIA: People have got to calm down, get a grip on themselves. As much as I want John Kerry to win, I wouldn't cheat and violate the process that I believe sets America apart from every other country in the world.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CARROLL: I spoke to one poll watcher who told me she's going to be watching out to make sure that there are no irregularities. Some election workers say that they're not going to worry about who's watching them. They're going to focus on making sure the process goes as smoothly as possible -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Jason Carroll in Pennsylvania, thank you very much.

We all remember the election nightmare in Florida four years ago. With the stakes just as high this time around, there are clear signs of more problems. Of all the battleground states, Florida's 27 electoral votes right now the biggest prize. In our latest poll of likely voters, Kerry edges Bush by three points, 49 percent to 46 percent.

With the latest on what's happening in the Sunshine State, CNN national correspondent Gary Tuchman joining us now live. He's in West Palm Beach -- Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, we all know it's not Election Day yet, but it sure feels like it is here at the supervisor of elections office in Palm Beach County.

That's because early voting in the state has been wildly popular. Behind me, you can see the people waiting in line for early voting. It's been going on for two weeks. The polls closed here 35 minutes ago, but this is still the line to get in. It's been up to 350 people at times. There are now police in the back of the line telling people they can no longer join it.

But I just talked with someone in the front of the line. He's been on the line since 1:30. He's finally the front person at 5:35.

Now, inside the building behind me, something very interesting's been going on, deja vu of sorts. The Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, a three-member board, looking very carefully at forms. Now, it looks like what they were doing four years ago, looking at the hanging and dimpled chads on the punch card ballots. Well, now they're looking at signatures on absentee ballots, comparing them to the signatures of those voters when they originally registered to vote.

When signatures look different, they take a vote among themselves whether to allow that absentee ballot to be used in the election. Sometimes they vote yes. Sometimes they vote no. Either way, they're Democratic and Republican operatives in the room, objecting when they don't agree with the decision. But it looks like very similar to what we saw four years ago. Four years ago, of course, a ton of problems, and there have already been some other problems here this year.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: Emma (ph), show me on the registration form what you forgot to fill out?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No. 4.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Emma Diaz (ph) forgot to check a box on her voter registration form saying she was mentally competent. Because of that, she won't be allowed to cast a ballot.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's unfair. TUCHMAN: She was one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Florida and its secretary of state, Glenda Hood. The lawsuit failed.

GLENDA HOOD, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: Individuals and groups and political parties feel that the only way that they can get media attention and get some attention is through litigation.

TUCHMAN: It was one of many election-related lawsuits filed here, four years after the state's election fiasco. The problems were varied, ranging from the hanging chads on punch card ballots to the so-called butterfly ballot in Palm Beach County, where many accidentally voted for Pat Buchanan, instead of Al Gore.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got a call the next morning from Japan, my granddaughter. Grandma, what did you do? What happened there? I says, I don't want to talk about it. She says, who did you vote for? I'm not talking, because I was so confused. And I thought I was violated.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: Those ladies will not have to worry about the punch card ballot this year. It's been banned in the entire state of Florida. Here in Palm Beach Florida, they're using those touch-screen machines -- Wolf, back to you.

BLITZER: Gary Tuchman, thanks very much.

People waiting in those long lines, here's a recommendation. Bring a good book or at least a good newspaper, something to do while you're waiting. It will make the time go by faster.

The true wild card when it comes to voter turnout, at least one of those could be the weather.

CNN meteorologist Rob Marciano is in the CNN Weather Center in Atlanta with a quick look at where nature may have an impact on voting tomorrow -- Rob.

ROB MARCIANO, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Hey, Wolf.

There's a number of swing states that will be affected by inclement weather that may keep some voters from the polls. This is our radar right now, a big mess, a lot of rain from the Canadian border all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, even some snows across not only Denver, but much of the state of Colorado.

Here's how the forecast shapes up for tomorrow. Florida, swing state for sure, but maybe going to the beach, instead of the polls, nice weather there. No problem. Across the Northeast, looking pretty good as well.

Where we run into problems, Western PA, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, rain, could be heavy at times, and a cold rain at that. Denver after snows today do dry out and warm up with sunshine tomorrow. Oregon, also a swing state, rain moving in there, but most of those folks pretty used to the rain this time of year. And some of the rain across parts of Arkansas could be heavy at times.

That's the latest, Wolf. Ohio could see some heavy rain throughout the day tomorrow. Get out and vote, if you haven't done so already -- back to you.

BLITZER: Rob Marciano, thank you very much.

A lot of people believe the better the weather, potentially, the better it is for John Kerry, voter turnout being critical. We'll watch the weather. We'll watch the turnout to see if that assumption holds.

No state will be more closely watched tomorrow than Florida.

CNN's Paula Zahn is already there. She's holding a town hall meeting tonight in Kissimmee to hear what Florida voters are prepared to say.

Paula joining us now live with a preview -- Paula.

PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf. Greetings from the Sunshine State.

And it's sunny outside, so it doesn't look like weather will have much of an effect on the vote here tomorrow. Kissimmee is near Disney World and Orlando. But for political junkies, there's an even bigger attraction. We're in what they call the I-4 Corridor. And many consider that 132-mile stretch of highway that connects Tampa on the west coach to Daytona Beach on the east coast as the swing part of this battleground state.

And tonight, I'll will be 105 registered voters in this room. About a quarter of them are still undecided, even on this day before the election. And they'll be putting questions to Senator Bob Graham, who will be representing the Kerry/Edwards campaign, and Ralph Reed, who is the Southeastern regional chairman. It should be quite the scramble here tonight, Paul -- Wolf, that is.

BLITZER: Well, give our viewers, Paula, a little sense of what you're feeling, the mood down there in Florida.

ZAHN: Well, it's interesting, because none of these voters want a repeat of about what happened in their state in the year 2000.

And if you look at one of our latest poll results, it's pretty telling. While you have got 73 percent of the population basically saying they're either very confident or confident, period, about their votes being accurately counted, you have got 26 percent of the folks polled who do not think that's the case. And I think there's a lot of cynicism about the process, and I would suspect you'll hear a little of that run through the questions here tonight.

BLITZER: Paula Zahn will host the town hall meeting in Kissimmee tonight, 8:00 p.m. Eastern, more of it at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.

Paula, we'll all be watching a special edition of "PAULA ZAHN NOW" tonight in Florida.

ZAHN: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: The presidential race is not the only close race grabbing voters' attention. A preview of several key Senate races taking place tomorrow that could tip the balance of power on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Also ahead:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHELSEA CLINTON, DAUGHTER OF BILL CLINTON: When I was asked to join the campaign trail, I was a little nervous. I'm not accustomed to public speaking, and this is my first political speech.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Chelsea Clinton joining some other famous Democratic daughters on the campaign trail. We'll hear from her.

Plus, this:

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the sound of the Electras.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: They'd like to play again, but they're missing their bass guitarist. We'll catch up with John Kerry's former band members later in the hour.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: While the presidential race is generating most of this year's political excitement, Capitol Hill insiders are keeping a very close eye on the U.S. Senate races and looking out for potential turnovers. Democrats hope to take over control of the Senate by forcing Republicans to turn over seats. Republicans, on the other hand, hope to increase their majority by forcing Democratic turnovers.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Of the 34 Senate race this year, there are just 10 where party turnovers are considered possible, and just two where turnovers are considered likely.

One virtually certain turnover is in Illinois, where Barack Obama, the keynote speaker at this year's Democratic Convention, is expected to easily defeat conservative activist Alan Keyes, taking over the seat currently held by Republican Peter Fitzgerald.

The other likely turnover is in Georgia, where Republican Johnny Isakson is expected to win the seat being vacated by Democrat Zell Miller, a conservative who's actually campaigning for the president. With those likely turnovers in Illinois and Georgia offsetting each other, attention turns to eight other races where turnovers are considered possible. In Alaska, Democrats are hoping Tony Knowles can defeat Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski.

STUART ROTHENBERG, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Murkowski has had significant problems over the past few months establishing herself apart from her father, Governor Frank Murkowski, who's not popular.

BLITZER (on camera): He appointed her.

ROTHENBERG: He appointed her to the office.

BLITZER (voice-over): Democrats also think they have shots at taking over for retiring Republicans in Colorado and Oklahoma. Republicans, on the other hand, would dearly love to see John Thune unseat Democratic Minority Leader Tom Daschle in South Dakota.

SEN. BILL FRIST (R-TN), MAJORITY LEADER: I have been a strong, strong supporter of John Thune, who has demonstrated bold leadership in the past for the citizens of South Dakota, who has very clearly spelled out the differences between he and his opponent, Tom Daschle.

BLITZER: The GOP also has potential opportunities to take over open Democratic seats in Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

How will it end? The best-case scenario for Democrats, they win a Senate majority with as many as 52 senators and the support of Vermont independent Jim Jeffords. The best-case scenario for Republicans, they retain and increase their majority with as many as 57 senators and force Democrats to seek a new minority leader to replace Daschle.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We'll find out tomorrow night what's happening in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, governors' races, the presidential contest. CNN's prime-time election night coverage begins 7:00 p.m. Eastern tomorrow. We'll be broadcasting from the Nasdaq marketsite here in New York City in Times Square.

A little earlier, I went over to our election broadcast center to take a look.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: We're going to take you on a tour now of CNN election headquarters right at the Nasdaq marketsite in the heart of Times Square, specifically Broadway and 43rd.

Let's take a look at what we can do on these 72 video screens. At any one time, we can put a lot of information up behind me. The governors' races, right now, there are 28 Republicans, 22 Democrats. We'll be watching what happens there. The Senate races, the balance of power so tight in the U.S. Senate right now, 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats, one independent, Jim Jeffords of Vermont, who usually votes with the Democrats. The total votes at any one time, we'll have maps galore, maps of the United States and all of the states, including counties, if necessary, if the battle goes well into the night.

We'll see where people are voting and how they're voting, the all-important Electoral College; 270, as all of you know, needed to be elected president of the United States. One of the interesting things in our wall-to-wall, coast-to-coast, border-to-border coverage, you know what we could do? We can put all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, up at any one time.

Look at this. And we can go to any state and see what the vote is, what percentage of the people have voted already, what -- which states we've projected a winning candidate in, which states are still too close to call. This is going to be a fabulous time for all of us here at CNN. We've done a lot of work to do this. And we hope you'll join us right here Tuesday night.

And perhaps beyond.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER: Bringing back the band. We'll groove with the Electras, John Kerry's former band mates. This will be groovy. We'll get to all of that.

First, a look at some other stories you may have missed this past weekend.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BLITZER (voice-over): Democratic daughter on the campaign trail in Tampa, Florida, Saturday. The all-female all-star offspring included Vanessa Kerry and Cate Edwards, along with Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, Karenna Gore Schiff, and Chelsea Clinton, who made her first ever political speech.

CLINTON: I believe in John Kerry and John Edwards. I believe in their vision and their plans for America. And I know that they will succeed because of what we experienced during the eight years when my father was president.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BLITZER: Slugging for pop. President Bush's twin daughters were also on the stump. Barbara and Jenna Bush made multiple appearances in New Jersey Saturday, urging voters to back the Bush-Cheney team and thanking campaign volunteers.

Red Sox rapture. An estimated 3.2 million people turned out despite chilly, rainy weather for the Red Sox victory parade. It was Boston's first such celebration in 86 years.

And that's our weekend snapshot.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Members of an obscure band from the '60s are trying to get back together, if they can only get one of their original members, who's no longer obscure, to slow down a little bit and join them for a reunion.

CNN's Brian Todd has the story of this old rocker and his high school band.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): He won't sing, but John Kerry's clearly comfortable behind the guitar, a talent more than 40 years in the making.

September 1960, St. Paul's School, a private academy in Concord, New Hampshire, some blue-blooded teenagers, feeling rebellious, decide to form a garage band. They're all good guitar players, but no one can or wants to play bass guitar, until one of them is pressed into duty, one John Kerry.

LARRY RAND, FOUNDING MEMBER, THE ELECTRAS: He was willing to do it, knowing that the bass player always takes the back seat.

TODD: Influenced by surf instrumentals of the late '50s and early '60s and bands like the Ventures, they start jamming. The sound is primitive at first, but the boys sharpen their skills, start playing for audiences at St. Paul's and other private schools nearby, and name themselves after a popular car their parents were driving.

They're underage and can't play in clubs, but, in January 1962, they release their own self-titled album, "The Electras," 13 songs, most of them covers from other bands, shoulder-wagging beach riffs like "Yellow Jackets."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is the sound of the Electras.

TODD: Three of the original four, bassist John Kerry, guitarists Jon Prouty and Larry Rand, graduate in 1962. Drummer Peter Lang is a class behind them and keeps the spark going, recruiting nine other members for four different lineups of the Electras until the band dissolves in the summer of '63.

John Kerry's experience would fuel a lifetime connection with rock 'n' roll. John Prouty is now an architect in Colorado. Larry Rand teaches constitutional law at a private school in Connecticut. Peter Lang is a surgeon in Massachusetts. I asked Prouty and Rand about their famous friend.

(on camera): The key question that everybody wants to know, what is John Kerry like as an 18-year-old, Larry? RAND: John was cooperative and dedicated. He was great to work with. The hours and hours that we spent together as Electras are far and away my fondest memories at St. Paul's School.

JON PROUTY, FOUNDING MEMBER, THE ELECTRAS: John, unlike the rest of the band, clearly had commitment and vision to something more than playing rock 'n' roll and getting into college.

TODD: Those innocent years still fresh for two 60-year-old weekend rockers.

RAND: This is the sound of the Electras.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TODD: John Prouty and Larry Rand have released a CD of that one and only album and are trying to arrange a reunion of the four original members of the Electras, possibly in January, and regardless of what happens tomorrow -- Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Brian Todd, thanks very much. Excellent report.

And when we come back, the results of our Web question of the day. That's coming up next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Here's how you're weighing in on our Web question of the day. A simple question: Will you vote tomorrow? Eighty-nine percent of you say yes; 11 percent say no. Remember, this is not a scientific poll.

Tomorrow, CNN's entire election team will be here in New York broadcasting live from the Nasdaq marketsite in the heart of Times Square. We'll use the latest technology of the world's largest stock market to bring you details about every candidate, every race as you've never seen it before, special prime-time coverage beginning 7:00 p.m. Eastern, continuing until the election is decided.

Thanks very much for joining us.

"LOU DOBBS TONIGHT" starts right now.

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