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GOP Battles in 21 States; Georgia on Their Minds; Big Wait in California?
Aired February 05, 2008 - 10:59 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: You're with CNN.
Hi there, everybody. I'm Heidi Collins.
Developments keep coming in to the CNN NEWSROOM on Tuesday, the 5th of February.
Here's what's on the rundown.
Schools, churches, community centers crowded with Super Tuesday voters. Will today's contest settle a presidential nomination? Twenty-four states in play for the candidates.
I ask our panel of radio talk show hosts about the voters and the issues.
Plus, YouTube made them stars. Now get ready for the Super Tuesday video awards.
Mock the vote -- in the NEWSROOM.
Super Tuesday in full swing right now. Millions of you heading to the polls this morning. Here's a look at the landscape.
The CNN.com map shows the states in play, 24 in all, plus American Samoa. Democrats are competing in 22 states, Republicans have 21 contests.
And here's what's at stake.
For Democrats, more than 1,600 delegates. The Republicans have 1,020 up for grabs.
Republicans favor the winner-take-all system either at a district level or for a state as a whole. At least 12 states, including New York and California, work that way. But, the Democrats use the proportional system. That's why it's going to be difficult for either Clinton or Obama to pull way ahead today.
Count on the best political team on television to keep you informed. We have correspondents positioned in key states across the country covering all of the angles.
A final frantic push for the Republicans making several Super Tuesday stops today.
CNN's Dana Bash is following John McCain's campaign. She is in Phoenix this morning.
Hi, Dana.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Heidi.
Well, certainly the Republicans are absolutely scrambling, just like the Democrats, to try to reach every last voter. But as we speak, there's something interesting going on across the country in the state of West Virginia.
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee is addressing a convention in West Virginia. West Virginia, that's how it appoints -- allots its 18 delegates, just right there at a convention. And Mike Huckabee has decided, just like a couple of other Republican candidates, to come and personally address them, to ask for their votes and for their delegates. So it's an interesting moment there on this very, very interesting and very important Super Tuesday.
But as for the two men who are vying for the top spot, if you will, if you add up all of these two dozen or so states that are voting today, John McCain -- for John McCain, he is -- he has sort of an interesting strategy today, Heidi. He started the day in a place that is not known as certainly a Republican bastian, and that is New York City.
New York does have a very important delegate base. It has over 100 delegates. It's a winner-take-all state. And so he decided to go into New York City and make an argument that he thinks is among his best as he is appealing to Republican voters.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I said that Rumsfeld strategy would fail, that we needed a new strategy, that we needed General Petraeus and his new strategy. And I said that we could win. And there was times when people said, no, we've got to get out. We've got to set timetables for withdrawal.
You know what that means, my friends? That means surrender. And I can tell you right now, that the two leading Democrats want to wave the white flag.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: There you hear John McCain focusing more on the Democrats than on his Republican rivals right now. Again, I mentioned that he was in New York. Right now he is on the plane though headed to the state of California.
And John McCain said this morning that he is actually quite worried about California. And, you know, perhaps looking back on today there might be some questions about why McCain spent so much time in New York, in New Jersey, even in Mitt Romney's home state of Massachusetts. Those states, at least in New York and New Jersey, he seems to have pretty locked up. But California is a huge state, and he clearly does not. But, meanwhile, Heidi, the other Republican who is really trying to make this day not the day that John McCain seals the nomination, that is Mitt Romney. And the way he has been doing that over and over again is by making the case that John McCain, he says, simply is not conservative enough to be the GOP nominee.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MITT ROMNEY (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You sitting here are going to have the first voice on the battle of the heart and soul of the Republican Party. And I'm going to ask you some questions here, because you're going to have a choice as to whether you're going to select a conservative, myself, to lead the party, somebody who will stay in the house that Ronald Reagan built, or whether we're going to take a left turn as a party. And I'll just ask you these questions.
Do you want to have as your nominee a person who voted against drilling in ANWR? Do you want to have a person as your nominee, someone who voted against the Bush tax cuts?
AUDIENCE: No!
ROMNEY: Do you want to have a person as your nominee, a person who voted against the marriage amendment?
AUDIENCE: No!
ROMNEY: Do you want a person as your nominee who voted against federal funding for -- excuse me, voted for federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research?
AUDIENCE: No!
ROMNEY: Do you want as your nominee a person who authored a bill and fought for a bill that gave amnesty to all illegal aliens?
AUDIENCE: No!
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BASH: And that is Mitt Romney also addressing the West Virginia convention earlier this morning.
So, Heidi, when you talk about all of the issues -- and there certainly are very important issues at stake here, from what John McCain was talking about, Iraq, to what Mitt Romney does talk about, and that is the economy -- what you have at the end of the day here is sort of a battle for who is more conservative as they are -- these Republican candidates are vying for Republican votes in about two dozen or so states that are voting today -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. We are watching closely for a very long day.
BASH: Yes, we will.
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Dana Bash coming to us to from Phoenix, Arizona.
Thank you, Dana.
The candidates may have the key state of Georgia on their minds, but what do the voters have on their minds?
Our Rusty Dornin has been talking to them in suburban Atlanta. And she joins us now.
Hi, Rusty.
RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Heidi, business has been brisk here at the New Day (ph) Baptist Church in a suburb north of Atlanta. Now, this is traditionally staunchly Republican territory. And a few of the voters that I have spoken to said they have had a tough time here, that there's Christian conservative values for many of them that outweigh ideas about the economy or the war, immigration.
But they say they want a candidate of faith. And they have been having a tough time, a few of them told me, making that choice.
Now, of course, all three of the Republican candidates making a swing through Georgia over the weekend. McCain, of course, appearing in Atlanta. Also, Mike Huckabee was at a church picnic on Sunday. He also attended a church service. And Mike -- I mean, excuse me, Mitt Romney was at George Tech yesterday speaking to students and also talking about being a Reagan-style politician to those students yesterday.
On the Democrat side, Barack Obama has really fired up a lot of the African-American voters here in Georgia, attracting very large numbers wherever he speaks. Hillary Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, did appear in Atlanta over the weekend, giving a speech there.
Great weather here, in the mid-70s. There's no reason for voters not to come out. And they're expecting very large turnout. Historically, some of the largest since 1992 here in Georgia.
But, again, a very staunchly Republican area that we are in right now. And they say it's up for grabs at this point -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right. CNN's Rusty Dornin coming to us from Marietta, Georgia, today.
Thank you, Rusty.
Be the first to know Super Tuesday results. Sign up for CNN breaking news, e-mail alerts, and you will know when we know.
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(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Unfortunately, we're going to take a look at the Big Board. Look at this now. Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 254 points at this moment. The Nasdaq also down 41 right now.
We are watching those numbers for you on this Super Tuesday. And we'll be talking a little bit more about those business headlines and possibly why things are going south so far today.
Meanwhile, we've been telling you an awful lot about Super Tuesday. Now let's talk about Fat Tuesday, huh?
New Orleans rockin' today. More than a dozen parades happening as the city wraps up Mardi Gras season. You know the scene -- lots of parades and family-friendly events.
Really? Family-friendly events?
Lots of heavy drinking, in fact, too. Probably some party-goers wearing too few clothes. You know.
Police say nine people, in fact, have been wounded in five shootings. None of the injuries though life-threatening. Still, that ranks the 2008 carnival season as the season's worst in three years.
Back to Super Tuesday now.
So, who's saying what? Radio talk show hosts reveal what they're hearing from their listeners, coming up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Flashback to 2000? California's paper ballots could mean delayed results. CNN's Ted Rowlands reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TED ROWLANDS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): People hoping to stay awake Tuesday night to see if their candidate can win in California may be out of luck. County registrars are warning that because of potentially record-breaking voter turnout, and a change, back to paper ballots, Super Tuesday results may take some time.
Because of concerns over reliability, California decertified many of the state's electronic voting machines. So, in places like San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles, where more than 3,000 voting machines will be sitting in a warehouse, it's back to paper ballots.
KARI VERJIL, REGISTRAR, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: We are processing paper ballots for this election instead of our touch-screen voting. And paper ballots are much more time-consuming because they are larger and require more handling.
ROWLANDS: Los Angeles County never stopped using paper ballots, but poll workers still spent time this weekend on a dry run, getting ready to handle the expected high volume of ballots. More than 700,000 more Californians are registered to vote Tuesday than were four years ago; 240,000 signed up in December alone. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All signs are that this is going to be a very high turnout election. There's a lot of interest, a lot of activity. We know that California is at play in the presidential nomination process.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Well, you're no doubt hearing a lot about the dueling health care plans offered by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. CNN chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, has been checking the differences for you. But first, let me say for full disclosure, Sanjay worked in 1997 and '98 as a White House fellow, which is a nonpartisan appointment. This was three to four years after Hillary Clinton's health care plan went down to defeat.
Now to the issue at hand, the differences in the presidential candidates' health care plans. I got the breakdown earlier from Sanjay, beginning with the Clinton/Obama plans.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: I think we're about 95 percent similar, first of all, for to start, in terms of their goals. They both want to provide health care insurance for everybody. They both really want to focus on prevention, keeping it so that people don't get sick in the first place. And they both talk about funding their health care plans in similar ways.
What's different, and I think this is important, Heidi, is that in Senator Clinton's plan they talk about this idea of requiring people to buy health care insurance that can afford it. And Barack Obama's plan, Senator Obama's plan, says he would require it for children but not for adults. He thinks lowering costs is more of the issue here, lowering costs so that everyone can afford it.
The words are important here, Heidi, as you know. Here's specifically how they put it.
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D-NY), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I want everybody to pay something according to their ability. And we'll make it affordable with health care tax credits. We'll limit the amount of percentage of income that anybody has to pay as a premium. We won't require small business to do anything, but if small business wants to, they, too, can go into the congressional plan.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am actually not interested in just capping premiums, I want to lower premiums by about an average of $2,500 per family, per year, because people right now cannot afford it.
GUPTA: Speaking of affording it, how much do these plans cost? Well, according to the Clinton camp, they say her plan would cost about $110 billion. Obama's camp says about $50 billion to $60 billion.
Now, a couple of important points here, Heidi. Independent economist Jonathan Gruber, who in the past has advised the Clinton campaign, talked specifically about what he projects the cost to be. And he says Clinton's plan would actually cover everyone, it costs about $124 billion. Obama's plan would cover half of those that are currently uninsured and cost about $102 billion.
So you can see differences in numbers here. Obviously different models are going to give you different answers.
One thing that's important to point out. As things stand today, Heidi -- and this is a good glimpse into the way we think about things -- as things stand today, about 20 percent of those who are uninsured in America make more than $75,000 a year. So a lot of people choosing not to buy health care even though they can afford it.
COLLINS: What about Republicans? What are their health care plans?
GUPTA: Well, you know, as much as "universal" is sort of the buzzword among the Democrats, "free market" is probably the buzzword among the Republicans. Really, the line in this idea of free enterprise to stimulate the health insurance companies to be more competitive with one another.
So, for example, you live in Atlanta. You have a couple of provider choices. What if there were 20 choices instead? And instead of you trying to figure out which insurance company you were going to go to, they were sort of vying for your business.
They really want Heidi Collins' business. And that ultimately should bring down cost as they compete for that. That's sort of the tenet, fundamentally, of the Republican plans.
They also talk about things like tax incentives, for example, if you have a preexisting condition. So, if you have some sort of illness, it can be very expensive, as you know, to buy health care insurance. A tax incentive may defray some of those costs.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
COLLINS: Health care, of course, is a top priority for many voters. And we will be watching that issue.
Meanwhile, John McCain looks to keep the momentum going. He's campaigning on both sides of the country today. More about it in just a moment.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Checking the pulse of the people this Super Tuesday. Let's hear now from radio talk show hosts about what their listeners are saying.
Live in Los Angeles, Larry Elder, AKA, the "Sage from South Central." Hello to you. Thanks for being with us.
LARRY ELDER, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Good morning.
COLLINS: He's the host...
ELDER: Good morning, Heidi. Always nice to get up at 5:00 in the morning for you.
COLLINS: Isn't that nice? We do appreciate it.
ELDER: You got it.
COLLINS: He's with "The Larry Elder Show" on ABC Radio.
To New York now, where she didn't have to get up quite so early. Laura Flanders, host of "Radio Nation" on Air America.
Hello to you.
LAURA FLANDERS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Hi, Heidi. Glad to be with you.
COLLINS: Thank you.
And in Chicago, Javier Salas. His show is called "Un Nuevo Dia.".
Thanks for being with us, everybody.
JAVIER SALAS, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Happy to be here, Heidi.
COLLINS: Thank you.
Hey, Larry, I want to start with you. I know that you said a lot of your listeners are disappointed with the candidates. They're looking for a Ronald Reagan and just not seeing one.
What do you mean by that?
ELDER: Well, the Republicans are disappointed. The Democrats are ecstatic. They have exactly what they want. They have an antiwar candidate who's going to repeal the Bush tax cuts and give us universal health coverage.
But you're right, on the Republican side a lot of people are very disappointed. They feel that John McCain is a sellout, he was on the wrong side of the immigration debate. He voted against the Bush tax cut in '01 and in '03. He's a global warming hysteric. He's opposed to drilling in ANWR.
And on the Romney side, this is a guy who did a (INAUDIBLE) Hillary care deal that is now $400 billion overrun. He just now discovered three years ago that he was pro-life. And about a year, year and a half ago, he sounded like John McCain on immigration.
So, there is no Ronald Reagan guy on the Republican side, and people are disappointed.
COLLINS: All right.
Laura, I want to get you to you.
Your listeners are talking about leadership style. They're sort of this "I can do it" versus "We can do" it coming from the different camps of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
FLANDERS: Yes. I mean, it's kind of interesting at this point. Personality does seem to be trumping policy.
You've got a health care plan, for example -- you reported on it -- that from the Hillary camp would cover more people, and yet there's something about the style of the Obama campaign that seems to be empowering more people as it goes. It's really a fascinating situation we're seeing, where it's as much the method of how these two candidates are organizing as their message that's turning people on.
In the end, I think it's resulting in these massive turnout rates that have to be good for politics in America hence forth.
COLLINS: Yes. No -- I think you're right about that.
Javier, you're in Chicago. It is the hometown of both senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Who has your listeners most excited?
SALAS: Well, both candidates are. Even John McCain, because the three of them has demonstrated in the last CNN debate that they are for comprehensive immigration reform that is really needed in this country.
And it's going to be very hard for all our voters here in Chicago because we like both, Hillary and Obama. But still, I think one of the many reasons is comprehensive immigration reform. Both are for it. McCain is for it, and I guess that's good.
The Latino vote in general is expected to be in record numbers. And we are very excited. Tonight is going to be great. And the TV pundits are going to be talking about it.
COLLINS: Yes. Talking and talking and talking some more, all the way through to Wednesday morning, we hear, certainly.
Larry, back to you.
Something interest that you said before this show to some of our bookers here. You are hearing from lifelong Republicans, including your own father, who are saying -- you know, we've got to call him out -- who are actually supporting Obama. Why are they going that route?
ELDER: Well, my dad is 92 years old, lifelong Republican. And the other day he told me, "You know, Larry, whoever the Democrats choose, it will be the first," meaning the first woman or the first black person.
COLLINS: Right.
ELDER: And my dad was happy about that. A lot of my Republican friends are saying things like that.
You know, Ronald Reagan had the ability to get you to like him, even though when you look at issue by issue by issue you disagree with him. Barack Obama seems to have that same kind of crossover, charismatic appeal. I don't get it, but a lot of people feel that way.
COLLINS: Just to be clear, we got you on record.
Laura, obviously you have a lot of female listeners. And we were just hearing Larry talk more about that presentation and about that personality.
Who are they talking most about voting for?
FLANDERS: Well, I'll tell you, it's Barack Obama supporters that I'm hearing most from. And I guess it goes back to that leadership style again.
I mean, this is really as much as anything a choice between two different styles of leadership. Their policy programs aren't that different. Their proposals aren't very distinct.
But, on the one hand, you have a candidate who's saying, elect me, I've got what it takes, I will do what you -- you know, I will serve the people as I've trained my whole life. On the other hand, you've got a guy who's summoning the people to be part of a process of change. He says, this isn't only about me, it's about you.
And I think that's simply turning people on that felt cut out for too long.
COLLINS: Javier, do you think it's possible that the candidates, or maybe even just the voters themselves, are underestimating the Latino vote in all of this?
SALAS: Absolutely. And you can see as the Republicans, they have a really high rhetoric against the immigrants -- the anti- immigrant rhetoric from these very hate groups.
Some of them, they use that. And they are no longer in the career.
So, John McCain, as a surprise -- one of the big supporters of immigration, he's number one. And that's what makes us very excited.
It's time for the people to know that immigrants from all nations, they know that we're not going to be kicked around by any party, either Democrat or Republican. That's going to be shown today.
COLLINS: OK. And Larry, I want to get back to you for a moment about the issue of tax cuts. Certainly another issue that people have been talking about.
Do you think that's more important to your listeners than the war on terror or security of this country?
ELDER: I think for most Republicans right now, the war has moved to number two from number one. And now it's the economy.
We are maybe on the brink of a recession. And so Republicans feel that the Bush tax cuts jump-started the economy in '01 and in '03, and they need to be maintained, if not lowered.
To Javier's point, though, about immigration, this may surprise a lot of people. I think Javier is right.
This hard line, they ought to self-deport, get out of the country within 90 days, 120 days, I think is a loser. It rallies part of the Republican base. But I think the center of America wants the borders secured and wants the people who are here dealt with in some sort of way short of self deportation.
COLLINS: Javier?
SALAS: Well, he's entitled to his opinion. What we really need is humane, comprehensive immigration reform. This is a wonderful country. We're immigrants, all of us.
ELDER: That's what I just said, Javier. I'm agreeing with you.
COLLINS: Yes, he's agreeing.
ELDER: That's where the center of this country is.
SALAS: I didn't understand.
COLLINS: That's OK.
SALAS: You talk too fast.
COLLINS: That's OK.
ELDER: You thought I was going to say something else. You thought I was going to say something else.
COLLINS: That's right. But, you know, I never expected all three of you to sort of agree on anything today, so this is good news.
Listen, before we let you go, I want all three of your opinions on exactly what you think we will be talking about on Wednesday morning.
Laura, I want to start with you.
FLANDERS: Well, if we thought we were excited about the Super Bowl, I think tomorrow morning we're going to be really seeing a whole replay of the excitement after the game. I mean, whatever else happens, this is such a turnout for the folks write about in my book, "Blue Grit," about bottom-up power.
I mean, if we had had the establishment of these two parties deciding our candidates in the way that so often happens, it would all be over by now. Instead, you have on the Democratic side both candidates saying what is important is what happens after this.
COLLINS: Right.
FLANDERS: That's extraordinary. And again, exciting.
COLLINS: And quickly, Javier, are more people going to watch Super Tuesday results than the Super Bowl? It was the most watched ever.
SALAS: I'm sorry. Could you repeat the question?
COLLINS: That's OK. Just your thoughts for Wednesday morning, what we're going to see.
SALAS: We're going to see a great country because the outcome is going to be the one we're expecting. Hopefully it's a Democrat. Hopefully, but if not, it's OK, too.
COLLINS: All right. He had to throw that in there, didn't he? Larry, final thoughts?
ELDER: I think the epicenter here is in California. I think on the Democratic side, no matter what happens, because of proportional representation, both candidates go forward. If McCain beats Romney in California, I think McCain gets the nomination. If Romney beats McCain, we're going to have a very, very long type up until Minneapolis.
COLLINS: It's going to be interesting no matter how we look at it. Larry Elder, Laura Flanders, Javier Salas, certainly appreciate your thoughts here today. Thanks, guys.
Welcome back once again, everybody. You are in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Heidi Collins. 11:30 Eastern time now, and Super Tuesday polling places are open. Good job for those of you who have already voted, millions more of you will do the same thing before closing time tonight.
This is, in fact, the closest thing we have ever seen to a national primary. 24 states in all, compared with just 10 on Super Tuesday in 2004. At stake is the lion's share of delegates needed to win nominations for both Republicans and Democrats.
The economy dominating recent headlines. But Iraq still a big issue in the election. Today on CNN's AMERICAN MORNING Barack Obama outlined his plan to end the war.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I think it is important for us to say to the Iraqis that we are willing to help them, we want to be partners with them, but we are not going to be their in perpetuity. I have been clear. I will end this war. We will get combat troops out. I hope to do it by the end of 2009. We will have a strike force available to prevent terrorist camps from setting up in Iraq.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
COLLINS: Obama is spending the day on home turf in Chicago.
I want to take a moment to check out something very fun. Live pictures coming to you now. The New York Giants parade. Super Bowl winners. Look at them, very happy. Ticker-tape parade. We understand it began on Broadway and Battery Place, and continued north to Chambers.
There's going to be a ceremony at City Hall that's going to follow this. But, very fun picture. Last time they two title -- 1991. Wow. Very exciting. Eli, where are you? OK. Excellent. There he is. Very good. It's cool to watch them take pictures of everybody else for once, isn't it? Lots of excitement once again in New York.
We're watching the New York Giants parade. In case you missed it, it was the most watched Super Bowl ever. 97.5 million viewers, according to the Nielsen Media Research. As I'm sure you know by now that score, 17-14, Giants over the New England Patriots. Good going, guys.
One was a Super Tuesday state four years ago, the other moved up to become player. It's the eastern influence. We'll talk about it after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: An early start for New Yorkers this morning. Polls opened there at 6:00 a.m. A full 15 hours for voters to make up their minds. CNN's Allan Chernoff has been talking with the voters in Harlem this morning. Allan, it sounds like some of them might actually need all 15 hours to decide.
CHERNOFF: That's right, Heidi. You know, I think some people wish they had that much time inside of the booths. When people step in here, believe it or not, we've been talking with some folks who have actually stepped in, not quite sure who they're going to vote for. How often is it that you really have such a tough choice?
Here in Harlem, we've got that today. This is, after all, Clinton country. Hillary Clinton, the senator here, voted twice to be sent to Washington, overwhelmingly by the people of this community. Also, her husband, Bill Clinton, has his office just 20 blocks away from where we are.
And, the Democratic establishment here led by Congressman Charlie Rangel has supported Hillary Clinton. But here comes Barack Obama, African-American man who is making history. It's a very tough choice for some voters. We have one with us as right now. Charles Townsend (PH) he's a professor at City College nearby. Charles, in the past, you have voted for Hillary Clinton, right?
CHARLES TOWNSEND, PROFESSOR: Yes.
CHERNOFF: For senate?
TOWNSEND: Yes.
CHERNOFF: And, your impression of Hillary Clinton?
TOWNSEND: She's a good woman. She's a good candidate.
CHERNOFF: You voted for her?
TOWNSEND: I voted for Barack Obama.
CHERNOFF: Tell us briefly why, please.
TOWNSEND: Well, it was a hard choice to make. I mean, you have two good candidates to choose from, you know? so but at the margin, you know, I really thought about the difference that it would make and I voted for Barack Obama. A black man was a consideration. But also the fact that we're in this war in Iraq, and I really think that his position on the war is what really swayed me.
CHERNOFF: Charles Townsend, thank you. That is not an exceptional opinion. That's what we're really hearing from a lot of people today. They're having a tough time. Keep in mind, though, here in New York state, Hillary Clinton does still have a very strong lead. She did in the polls, a 14-point lead in the latest poll.
So, it's expected that she will win the state, but it's clear that Barack Obama has definitely made inroads, particularly in this community and Harlem. Heidi?
COLLINS: OK. CNN's Allan Chernoff coming to us from Harlem, New York. Thanks so much for that, Allan. We will be watching, and we will also be watching another state. In fact, they moved their primary up to move up on the political influence ladder.
So, how are New Jersey voters responding to being part of Super Tuesday? Our Jason Carroll has been watch that situation live from a polling station in Fort Lee. Hi there, Jason.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello to you, Heidi. We've got the election workers here, we've seen a steady stream of voters who are coming in through here. There coming into one of these electronic voting booths making the choice between Republican or one of the Democratic candidates.
And here in the state, at least on the Democratic side, the race is very tight, too close to call. Senator Barack Obama campaigned in East Rutherford yesterday where he joined Senator Edward Kennedy. That's the second major rally that's he held in northern Jersey within the past month.
Senator Clinton's people say that she has a slight edge over Obama in this state. Even so, they dispatched Chelsea Clinton to the state to do some campaigning there. On the Republican side, Senator John McCain is enjoying somewhat of a double-digit lead over challenger Mitt Romney.
Even so, McCain was in this state yesterday, in Trenton in a suburb there doing some last-minute campaigning. New Jersey, as you say, moved its primary up so it could have more influence on choosing a presidential nominee. We had a chance to speak to some of the voters this morning about how that's impacting them.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's kind of sad when, you know, years past you feel like your vote doesn't count.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's a different year than usual. There are a lot of choices and it seems that it will really make a difference.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was a lot of issues domestically that we have to take care of. So with that, I think it makes it more important, more important than ever.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CARROLL: And, Heidi, the top two issues in this informal poll that we did this morning in terms of talking to some voters, the top two issues that they are faced with, they say No. 1, the economy. No. 2, they say, is seeking some sort of change -- Heidi?
COLLINS: All right, CNN's Jason Carroll coming to us live this morning from Ft. Lee, New Jersey. Thank you, Jason.
Well, the candidates had their say and now you get yours. Super Tuesday coverage all day, all night. CNN, your home for politics.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: The South set to play a critical role in today's contest in both parties. CNN's Ed Lavandera is in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this morning.
Hello to you once again, Ed.
ED LAVANDERA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Heidi.
Well, you know that back when Super Tuesday first kind of became known back in the -- in 1980, it was done as a way of trying to help influence and make the voice of Southern states stronger in this nominating process. And so, it's hard to imagine that there won't be a big turnout. In fact, across these four states of Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama, a big turnout is expected.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) LAVANDERA (voice-over): Presidential candidates pour on the Southern charm like thick gravy on biscuits.
MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's not often that a razorback comes to Tuscaloosa and has a good time.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: One of my sons attended Vanderbilt University and he married a beautiful, beautiful young lady from Cookeville. And I'm so -- and I'm so proud of that as well. So as you can see, I'm pulling out all the stops here, let me tell you.
LAVANDERA: But in the South, candidates know it takes a spiritual connection, too.
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know most folks were already in church today, so I don't want to give a whole other sermon and I won't pass the collection plate.
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Every day, I strive to act on the lessons of my faith, to reach that higher place.
LAVANDERA: Across the Super Tuesday Southern states of Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Alabama, both Obama and Clinton Democrats are embracing the most popular theme on the campaign trail ...
RENETA WHITE, VOTER: I feel like there's a lot of change that needs to happen as, you know, for the whole country, not just for the South.
LAVANDERA: And some Republican-leaning voters remain undecided.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John McCain, I kind of lean toward him on account of his military service. But -- and I like some of the policies that he's put forth, but Huckabee right now, I'm leaning kind of heavy toward him.
LAVANDERA: Emory University professor Merle Black studies the mindset of Southern voters. And on Super Tuesday, he sees division on the Democratic side.
PROF. MERLE BLACK, EMORY UNIVERSITY: I think we're going to see a split here. The deep south is probably going to go for Obama, the upper south will probably go for Hillary Clinton.
LAVANDERA: And on the Republican side, he says McCain is in the driver's seat.
BLACK: McCain will probably will lead the field, but I think Huckabee could be competitive here. The big question mark is to how well Mitt Romney would run in Georgia and Alabama and Tennessee.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
LAVANDERA: And Heidi, you know there's one voter in particular here in the South, especially in the state of Tennessee where I think a lot of Democratic voters would like to know how former vice president Al Gore will be voting today. We're told that he's already voted, voted early. But when we pressed a little bit more to find out whether or not he was Clinton's supporter or an Obama supporter, they would not tell us who he voted for -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Still didn't get an answer on that one, huh?
LAVANDERA: But we gave it the old college try, like I said.
COLLINS: Yes, I know you did, very good. All right, CNN's Ed Lavandera live from Chattanooga, Tennessee this morning. Thank you.
Today at noon Eastern, an "AMERICA VOTES" special on CNN and CNN.com. Join CNN's Campbell Brown and the best political team on television as they look at the issues influencing Super Tuesday voters. Noon Eastern today, live on CNN and CNN.com.
It started with an Internet sensation. Now, Obama girl is not alone. Which clips caught your attention?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BUSINESS HEADLINES)
COLLINS: Millions of people decide today. You're the man or woman behind the curtain. Our Super Tuesday coverage on CNN continues from the best political team on television. .
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
COLLINS: Today's Super Tuesday contests are likely to be super close. Track all the results as they come in minute by minute, state by state and all day and all night at CNNpolitics.com. Plus, analysis from the best political team on television. That's at CNNpolitics.com.
Political ads are usually serious business, but this year mockery hit the mainstream. Blame the Internet.
Here's what caught the eye of CNN's Jeanne Moos.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just in time for voters to ignore, we present the Super Tuesday Political Video Awards.
(on camera): The award for best adaptation of someone else's video -- i.e. best rip-off -- goes to "I've Got A Crush On Hillary.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've got a crush on Hillary, 2008. You're the sexiest candidate
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Sound familiar?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM/BABEL/POLITICAL.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Cause I got a crush on Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: That's the one that started it all.
(on camera): The award for best adaptation with a gay twist goes to "Hot For Hill."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM,/HOTT4HILL.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: H-I-L-L-A-R-Y, I know you're not gay, but I'm hoping for bi.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I am actually straight.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hillary, I think I want you.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): The award for best new video -- mockery category -- goes to "Huckabee Girl."
(voice-over): It's pure satire, taking aim at Huckabee's views on evolution...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM SUPERDELUXE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're riding on a dinosaur, you and me.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: And religion...
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM SUPERDELUXE.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You were a train in 2007, going to be the parade (INAUDIBLE) heaven.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): By the way, the dinosaur in this one deserves a best supporting actor.
(voice-over): She not only rides it, she does deep dino kissing.
(on camera): Yes, we can -- give the award for most repetitious video to "Yes, We Can."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM/DIPDIVE.COM)
OBAMA: With three words...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Three words...
OBAMA: That will ring...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That will ring...
OBAMA: From coast to coast -- yes we can. Yes, we can.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: Actually, this is a serious video dreamed up by will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas and featuring celebs ranging from Scarlett Johansson to John Legend.
(on camera): The best child actor award is a no-brainer that goes to Swift Kids for Truth.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM/236.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: (INAUDIBLE). Barack Obama.
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: You know that name is really difficult to say.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS: And then there was the one about Hillary Clinton disparaging the act of baking cookies.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Why put down cookies then offer up a recipe for cookies?
Which is it, huh?
Huh?
UNIDENTIFIED CHILD: Why the double standard?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (on camera): The beating a good idea into the ground award goes to "Super Obama Girl."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM YOUTUBE.COM/BABEL/POLITICAL.COM)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Obama.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
MOOS (voice-over): These days, if you hope for a hit video, it doesn't suffice to wear your political affiliation on your sleeve.
Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO TAPE) COLLINS: And with that, CNN NEWSROOM continues one hour from now. A CNN/"TIME" special, "AMERICA VOTES" is next. I'm Heidi Collins. I'll see you tomorrow, everybody.
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