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The Importance of Georgia; California: Super Tuesday Heavyweight; State Rules Can Make Big Difference; Mike Huckabee Wins GOP Convention in West Virginia

Aired February 05, 2008 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Kyra Phillips at the CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
And that's Don Lemon there at The Varsity, where he really is working really hard. And he can't hear us. We're going to get to him in just a second.

Live television, folks. And you know it from watching.

CNN's got the best political team on television, and we've got reporters fanned out from coast to coast on this Super Tuesday. They are at polling stations, at campaign headquarters, and they are talking with voters. And you'll want to stay with us all throughout the day and throughout the night on the biggest day yet in the 2008 campaign.

And there's a reason it's called Super Tuesday. For the Democrats 1,681 delegates are at stake. For the Republicans, 1,020. To win the nomination, the Democrat needs 2,025. For the Republicans, the magic number is 1,191.

We're going to have more on politics in just a moment.

(STOCK MARKET REPORT)

PHILLIPS: Well, the race for the White House is the talk of the lunchtime crowd at one of Atlanta's landmarks, The Varsity drive-in near the Georgia Tech campus.

Don, you've had a chance to talk not only with the students there, but also the employees. We're love Irving. He's been working there for 56 years. He's the man.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Irving is the man. I think that was, you know, the best piece of television all day, at least. I haven't seen everything.

But, I mean, that -- he's a real guy, right? And that's sort of what -- why we're here, to talk to people just like him. He's been working here 56 years.

And I'm glad you guys are talking about the economy or whatever. The economy, war, health care, that's what's on the minds of voters here, and people like Irving that we've been talking about. Economy, economy, economy, am I going to be able to take care of myself? Also, pretty interesting here in Georgia and in several other states. There's a new voter law on the record that says you've got to have your ID. There's some pretty strict stipulations about what you have when you go to the polling place.

Not just necessarily a picture ID. You can't show the old CNN ID. You've got to have a valid state or government driver's license, voter registration card, and then you get the thing that says, "I am a Georgia voter," right here on the peach. We're going to be talking about that.

This is the world's largest drive-in. It can serve on any given day, if there's a game here, 30,000 people. So, we're gauging their reaction. We're going to talk to them.

How important is the economy? What are they talking about? All of that coming up right here in the CNN NEWSROOM -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right, Don. Sounds good.

Now we want to get over to the news room. Betty Nguyen is following that GOP convention that's happening in West Virginia.

Give us an update, Betty.

BETTY NGUYEN, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, it's going on right now. This, in fact, is the second round of voting.

There was the first round a little bit earlier today, and there was no declared winner. And what they're all vying for is, of course, those 18 Republican delegates. Giving you a live look as the votes come in. And I want you to take a listen to the process as it's happening right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: ... for Huckabee and 11 for Romney?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's correct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we're back to Randolph County chairman, Bruce Haddocks (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Chairman, Randolph County votes 10 for Huckabee, 10 for Mitt Romney.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Randolph County, 10 for Huckabee and 10 for Romney. Is that correct?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's correct.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

Next is Roane County, chairman Larry Harpo (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mr. Chairman, Roane County casts eight votes for Mike Huckabee, 13... NGUYEN: So there you have it, the election process live as it's taking place right now in West Virginia. A look at the GOP convention, as they call it.

Some people kind of equate it to a caucus. And this is the second round of voting. And we should soon see if there is a definite winner.

And when there is one -- and we, of course, will announce it here on CNN. And that should come in pretty early, as West Virginia is expected to be one of the first states to select a winner of its convention today.

Now, this is another story that we want to bring you today that's really quite intriguing. You know, a lot of people going to the polls. It is Super Tuesday, after all. And one woman in Chicago showed up at her precinct, and they weren't ready for her to vote.

They told her, look, you know, not all of the officials are here. So, we can't allow you to come in and vote.

Well, let me tell you what -- Oprah Winfrey she was voting at the precinct next door. She heard about it. She came over and essentially stood there with the woman, saying, "I will stand there until they open those doors and allow you to vote." And that indeed is what she did.

It was quite an exciting day for the woman, who at first was turned down. But then Oprah comes to her rescue. She's come to the rescue of quite a few people over the years, and it looks like today there's one voter that can look to her and very thankful that she was there by her side as she was waiting to cast that ballot.

And it did happen after a little time. And Oprah later called her just to make sure everything went OK. So, Oprah on action on Super Tuesday.

PHILLIPS: Oh, she's been involved in the political action this year.

NGUYEN: No doubt.

PHILLIPS: All right, Betty. Thanks.

Well, you can be the first to know Super Tuesday results. Just sign up for CNN breaking news e-mail alerts, and you'll know when we know right here at CNN's election headquarters. Just sign up at CNN.com.

Now let's talk Democrats. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama locked in a bruising battle for the biggest prize of all on Super Tuesday, California. A whopping 370 Democratic delegates are at stake.

CNN's Jessica Yellin joins us now from a polling place in Fullerton, California.

Hey, Jessica.

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

You know, not so long ago Hillary Clinton had such a healthy lead in California. It's just a sign of how tight this race has become nationally that she is fighting to keep this state in her corner. And it looks like this state could actually divide delegates.

Who knows what happens after all the votes are counted tomorrow? One thing we do know is that the Clinton campaign, on a conference call just now, has said they do not expect this race to be decided tomorrow morning. They see this fight continuing to go on for some time. That is quite a change in mood and message from what they were saying a few months ago, when they expected all things would be done and more or less decided by this point in the contest.

Barack Obama and Senator Clinton both going after California's very heavily Democratic voters. But Barack Obama also looking to court some Independents. In this state, Independents can actually vote in the Democratic primary, but not in the Republican primary. So, that's where he might have an advantage.

Hillary Clinton has shown some advantage among Latino voters in the state, and also among certain groups of women, where she's been enormously strong.

Both of them, though, courting these voters not just on their own, but also with some of their surrogates. We have seen high-power celebrity turnout throughout this state. After all, it is the home of Hollywood. We would expect nothing less.

With Bill Clinton in town this weekend, and also Oprah and Caroline Kennedy and Maria Shriver out for Barack Obama, no one has let up the pressure on California, as everyone, each of them, seeks to win as many delegates here. As you say, it's the biggest prize in the nation. And any health advantage here could put one of them significantly ahead.

So, they're fighting for every vote they can get, but it's unclear whether California -- it still could divide evenly -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Jessica Yellin there in Fullerton, California.

Thanks, Jessica.

And as Don mentioned just a few moments ago, Georgia is a real political plum, especially for Republicans. Sixty-nine GOP delegates at stake here today, the third biggest jackpot of Super Tuesday. John McCain, Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee have all stumped here the past few days.

Our Rusty Dornin joins us now from a polling station in Marietta. That's just outside Atlanta, not far from here.

Hey, Rusty. RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: And speaking of the Republicans, Kyra, this polling station happens to be, of course, very staunchly Republican. We're talking about north of Atlanta, the suburbs, that sort of thing.

And it is -- the Republican vote is really up for grabs. A lot of folks that we've spoken to -- OK, they talk about the economy, immigration, the war. But also, there are several people here who are concerned that the candidate they vote for is one of faith.

The conservative Christian vote does matter here in Georgia for some folks. And, of course, Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney have been battling for those votes here. All three Republican candidates stumping in Georgia over the weekend.

Barack Obama, the Democrat side, attracting big numbers as far as African-American and Hispanic voters coming to hear him speak. And it's been interesting, of course, that Hillary Clinton and Obama, that they've both been courting the old civil rights -- the old guard. You know, the Joseph Lowerys and those sorts of folks here in Georgia. Both fighting for them.

Now, in Georgia, it is an open primary. So people can come, and no matter what party they belong to, they can vote for whomever they want to.

As Don Lemon talked about, people are having to show a photo ID. That's the first time here in Georgia. That's somewhat of a controversial law.

But the weather is great. A lot of people coming out. It's in the 70s. So the weather certainly is not stopping people from coming out, and they're expecting record numbers of people to come out here today -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. We'll be following you throughout the day.

Rusty Dornin in Marietta, Georgia.

Thanks so much.

And today's Super Tuesday race is likely to be super close. Track all the results as they come in minute by minute, state by state, all day and all night, at CNNPolitics.com. Plus, analysis from the best political team.

That's at CNNPolitics.com.

It's a wide-open race with more than 2,700 delegates on the line. How will young voters affect the outcome of Super Tuesday and beyond?

Keyboards are humming across the World Wide Web. Today's the kind of big political day for bloggers. They live for it.

We're going to bring you the latest buzz.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: So many states, so many rules. Super Tuesday is super complicated when it comes to forecasting winners. A lot depends on what kind of contest a given state is having.

CNN Senior Political Analyst Bill Schneider explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST (voice over): New York, New Jersey, and Georgia all have primaries on Super Tuesday. But they have different rules governing who can vote.

New York primaries are closed. Only registered Democrats can vote in the Democratic primary. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary.

New Jersey has semi-open primaries. Registered Independents can vote in either the Democratic or the Republican primary.

In Georgia, both primaries are open to all voters since voters do not register by party.

Thirteen out of 22 Democratic contests on Super Tuesday are either open or semi-open. These open contests will choose more than two-thirds of the day's Democratic delegates. Of

the 21 Republican primaries on Super Tuesday, 11 are open or semi-open. They pick about half the delegates.

What difference does it make? In the Democratic race, a lot. Barack Obama has pitched his appeal to Independents and Republicans, as well as Democrats.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: At this defining moment, you can come together as Democrats and Republicans and Independents and stand up and say that we are one nation, we are one people, and that our time for change has come.

SCHNEIDER: Democrats around the country give the edge to Hillary Clinton. Independents who say they will vote in the Democratic primary strongly favor Obama. So look for Obama to do better in states with open primaries.

In the 2000 Republican primaries, Independents strongly favored John McCain. He beat George W. Bush in two open primaries, New Hampshire and Michigan. But he couldn't win any primaries where just Republicans voted.

This year, McCain can't depend on Independents. They are much more likely to vote in Democratic primaries. So McCain has had to shore up his appeal to partisan Republicans.

ANNOUNCER: John McCain, the true conservatives.

SCHNEIDER: It's working. This year, McCain is doing better with Republicans.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

SCHNEIDER: And that's why McCain's victory in the Florida primary last week was so important. Florida is a closed Republican primary. Only registered Republicans can vote. Winning Florida helped McCain show Republicans that he really is in the mainstream of their party -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: All right. Bill Schneider, thanks so much.

And they might be young, but their votes count all the same. We're going to tell you where a fountain of youth support seems to be flowing in this presidential race.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Young voters could be a seismic force in the 2008 campaign, and they seem to be gravitating toward the youngest candidate in the field.

CNN's Gary Tuchman joins us live from Boston.

Hey, Gary.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Hey, Kyra. Hello to you.

Every candidate, Kyra, wants to be cool to the young people. They are an incredibly important demographic.

Now, Mitt Romney, who's having a Super Tuesday celebration in this ballroom in the Boston Convention Center, hopes to get a chunk of them. So do his Republican opponents. But the numbers show that Democrat Barack Obama has been the most successful at attracting the youth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Rock the vote!

TUCHMAN (voice over): In Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Democratic college students march...

CROWD: I'm young, I care, I vote!

TUCHMAN: ... in a noisy rally to the count courthouse...

CROWD: I'm young, I care, I vote!

TUCHMAN: ... taking advantage of a state law allowing them to vote early in the Super Tuesday primary.

(on camera): Youthful exuberance is contagious, so all the candidates would like to help spread that outbreak. So far, though, it appears the numbers show that Barack Obama has been the most successful.

(voice over): In New Hampshire, when there were still eight candidates on the ballot, Obama received 47 percent of the under-30 vote. More than any of his rivals.

And in Nevada he got 59 percent. And those are states he lost. In the states he won, he got the support of 57 percent of young voters in Iowa, and in South Carolina 67 percent.

As for these hundred or so students from Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University...

(on camera): Who is supporting Hillary?

Who is supporting Obama?

(CHEERING)

TUCHMAN (voice over): ... Obama also leads the pack.

It's no coincidence that Senator Edward Kennedy endorsed Barack Obama on a college campus -- American University in Washington.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In states where the Obama expectations weren't very high, and the youth vote comes in and gives them higher totals, that could mean the difference between winning the nomination and not.

TUCHMAN: In Arkansas, where Hillary Clinton once was first lady and Republican Mike Huckabee later served as governor, Barack Obama was largely an afterthought before his Iowa victory in the Democratic caucuses.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are you going to vote February the 5th for Barack Obama?

TUCHMAN: But now the Obama campaign is making a big push in the state, particularly with young people.

Katie Holder (ph) is the Obama Arkansas student coordinator.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: When I wear my Obama gear, people come up to me and say, "Where did you get that? I want one."

TUCHMAN: But Hillary Clinton wants to make sure she doesn't lose her former home state.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

TUCHMAN: She appeared at a high school in North Little Rock for a pep rally and speech. And daughter Chelsea campaigned at Arkansas State University.

CHELSEA CLINTON, HILLARY CLINTON'S DAUGHTER: I'm here to try to talk to as many people and then hopefully encourage you all to talk to as many people, you know, about my mom and about the issues that are important to our generation.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I heard people say that we're disengaged. Do you think they're right?

CROWD: No!

TUCHMAN: Inside the Arkadelphia courthouse, the students cast their early ballots.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I voted for Barack Obama.

TUCHMAN: Obama may be doing well with young people...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I voted for Ron Paul.

TUCHMAN: But no one can take their votes for granted.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: Another thing that can't be taken for granted, will their interest be sustained? The general election is still nine months away. So the winning nominees will have to do a lot to keep young people's interest -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, Gary, what do you think? What candidates are drawing the most young people to their rallies?

TUCHMAN: I've been to rallies for five different candidates over the last two or three weeks. And I will tell you by far, last night, a Barack Obama rally here in Boston, there were several thousand people at the rally. And I would say a good 75 to 80 percent of the people there were under 30 years old.

A very young rally. The youngest one I've ever seen.

PHILLIPS: Well, we'll keep tracking that youth vote, that's for sure.

Gary, thanks.

Let's get straight to the newsroom now. Betty Nguyen and the results from West Virginia's GOP convention. She's been following that -- Betty.

NGUYEN: I'm smiling because this is just so fascinating, and I'm going to tell you why. There is a winner in the GOP convention we can report to you right now, and that winner is Mike Huckabee.

But look at this chart right here. You see Huckabee has won with 52 percent of the vote. Then you see Romney with 47 percent of the vote. And then you're looking at McCain, that little slice at the top, with 1 percent, and you are thinking, what went on here?

Well, here's how it went down.

There was a first round of voting a little bit earlier today, and Mike Huckabee was in the lead. He was not the winner, the all-out winner, but he was in the lead.

So, John McCain supporters realized that McCain wasn't going to win here, so they decided to throw their votes behind Huckabee. And there you see it. Those votes went to Huckabee.

He won with 52 percent of the votes. Mitt Romney with 47 percent. And John McCain only got 1 percent.

So, apparently there was a lot of give-and-take here. And the John McCain supporters said, you know what? If we're not going to win, it's not going to be Romney, it's going to be Huckabee. And that's what they indeed did in the West Virginia GOP convention.

So, a fascinating sense of how that played out. And this is your government at work. This is the people, in fact, more so than anything. The people at work today on Super Tuesday in West Virginia, and especially in the GOP convention, has decided that it is Mike Huckabee.

So, we'll see how that plays out when it comes to everyone voting on Super Tuesday.

PHILLIPS: All right. Betty Nguyen, thanks so much.

And you can be the first to know Super Tuesday results. Just sign up for CNN breaking news e-mail alerts and you'll know when we know right here at CNN's election headquarters. Just sign up now at CNN.com.

Now, the buzz is going in full force now. Find out what the bloggers are saying about Super Tuesday. That's straight ahead.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(BUSINESS HEADLINES)

PHILLIPS: Well, like In-N-Out Burger is to California, the Varsity Drive-In is to Georgia, especially if you're here in Atlanta. That's usually where you go after you vote, at least that's what Don Lemon says.

LEMON: Yes, and we -- in the way of these guys. Did you guys vote yet?

WITA AMES, (ph): Yes, voted last Friday.

LEMON: You voted -- oh, you voted last Friday? She just walked in, I have no idea. You voted last Friday?

AMES: Yes, I did.

LEMON: Where are you from?

AMES: Big Canoe.

LEMON: Oh, OK, so ... AMES: That's 70 miles north of here.

LEMON: Seventy miles, this is an important election, huh?

AMES: It is, it is.

LEMON: A lot of people are talking about it. Why do you say that?

AMES: Why do I say what, that?

LEMON: A lot of people talking about it.

AMES: Well, supposedly it is a big, big, big thing.

LEMON: So, listen ...

AMES: That's all we hear about.

LEMON: Republican, Democratic?

AMES: Republican.

LEMON: You voted Republican?

AMES: I did, I did.

LEMON: Who are you supporting?

AMES: I voted for Mitt Romney.

LEMON: Yes, why is that?

AMES: Well, I think he's best for the conservatives.

LEMON: Yes?

AMES: And I'm a conservative.

LEMON: Well, good. What's your name -- you just -- we were in your way on the steps. What's your name?

AMES: Wita Ames.

LEMON: Wita Ames, it's a pleasure meeting you.

AMES: Well, thank you, thank you.

LEMON: And we're glad you voted.

AMES: Well, thank you.

LEMON: We're going to go talk to some other folks ...

AMES: Good, very good. LEMON: ...over here as well. We're gauging people. So, I'm going to walk over here. Folks, it's lunchtime ended just a little bit ago, so it's a lull between lunch and dinner. We didn't plan on, but I spoke to these guys here. Here's what's interesting -- sorry, I had to turn my back. Interesting about this, too. Cecelia?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Correct.

LEMON: She's voting on the Democratic side.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes, I am.

LEMON: And, Bill, you're voting ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Republican.

LEMON: Republican, and they're married.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: John McCain.

LEMON: How long you been married?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Eight years. That's immaterial, though. John McCain -- John McCain is the retired military person. He spent five years as a prisoner of war. He served in Congress for twenty- something years. If he wants to be president, he's earned it.

LEMON: All right.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Duh, right?

LEMON: What is that, is that a technical term? Say it again.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Duh.

LEMON: There you heard it from Bill from Columbus, Georgia, and from Cecelia. So, again, Democrat.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, yes.

LEMON: And that's not going to affect your marriage?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No, it will not.

LEMON: OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It will not because we're voting in this primary and I'm voting for change. I have voted Republican in the past. I've been very unhappy with things over the past eight years. So, I'm voting for a change this time, so I'm voting in the Democratic primary.

LEMON: So here's the thing that Bill told me. He said, but you still have to drive how many hours?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Two. LEMON: Things could change by then, right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

LEMON: You're going to try and win her over, right?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It probably won't, but it's possible.

LEMON: All right, go ahead enjoy your late lunch.

So, that's what people are saying here at the Varsity. But they're not the only people talking, there are CNN i-Reporters talking, there are bloggers, a lot of action going on the blogs as well. We're going to talk to a panel of conservative blogger, a liberal blogger coming up right here in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: Straight to the NEWSROOM with Betty Nguyen with details on the developing story there in West Virginia. An inside look at the GOP convention happening right now?

NGUYEN: Yes and, in fact, there is a winner. The first winner in Super Tuesday, West Virginia has declared Mike Huckabee is going to get all of its 18 delegates. And here's a look at how all of this broke down today. It's really, Kyra, quite fascinating. As you see the numbers here, Huckabee with 52 percent of the vote, Romney with 47 percent, and McCain with just one percent.

So, you're thinking, what went on in West Virginia? How did this break-down? Let me tell you what happened. There was a first round of voting a little bit earlier today. And after that, there was no declared winner, but Mitt Romney was in the lead. And it looked like John McCain was in third place.

So, like many caucuses, there's a lot of bartering going on, a lot of deals being made. While this is a GOP convention, it works very much like a caucus. So, all of McCain's supporters decided you know what, we're not going to let Mitt Romney win this one. We are going to throw our support behind Huckabee.

And that's what you see happened in West Virginia, with Huckabee getting the most votes there, the most votes and you're seeing that he's going to get all of the delegates, the 18 delegates that West Virginia is awarding. It's quite a fascinating look at how that played out.

But once again, Mike Huckabee with 52 percent of the votes, Mitt Romney with 47 percent and John McCain with just one percent. I do want to let you know, Kyra, that Texas representative Ron Paul did not collect enough votes to advance past the first round. That's why you don't see him there on that pie chart.

But once again, Mike Huckabee, 52 percent of the vote. He is the first winner. And -- or the winner in the Super Tuesday's voting there with the GOP convention in West Virginia. He gets all 18 delegates. So, we do have the first win to report today on this day when a lot of people are heading to the polls. And Mike Huckabee probably smiling. Although it was an interesting way that he came about winning all those 18 delegates in West Virginia -- Kyra?

PHILLIPS: I think there'll be a lot more interesting phenomena and also history being made this election year, and surprises, lots of surprises.

NGUYEN: Oh yes, all over the place. I'm sure we'll have much more today.

PHILLIPS: All right, well, let's talk about California, it's the biggest prize of all today for Democrats and Republicans. Our Richard Quest joins us now from a polling place in Fullerton, California. He's been giving our Don Lemon a hard time for hanging out at the Varsity and wearing a polo shirt while he's stuck in a shirt and tie.

But you look dapper, Richard Quest, dapper.

RICHARD QUEST, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Kyra, don't you just love tactical voting like we've just been hearing in West Virginia? I mean, it's just amazing! And that is why I always love election days. I don't care whether it's the presidential election, the primary, or the local village fate, what is going on behind me, the old, the young, those who had to almost be wheeled into the voting booths here at Fullerton. Everybody's having their say.

This part of the world, as you're well familiar with, Kyra, takes things a little more relaxed, a little more restrained. It's a very conservative part of America. And what we're seeing here in a slow, but steady, stream of voters making their way into the church hall, is pretty much what you're seeing everywhere else. Some people are saying, firmly for one candidate or another. Others are simply saying they still can't really make up their mind.

PHILLIPS: Well, I thought we were going to listen to some voters. Are we not going to hear from voters?

QUEST: I don't -- oh, no, no, I'm so sorry. No, I don't have any voters. Good Lord. No, what I have got instead -- well, you see -- what I have got instead is the sample ballot. Look, have a look at this. This is a sample ballot from Orange County. Because we mustn't forget that besides -- what have we got here?

Here we go. Besides the Democrats, you've got the Republicans. You've got the American Independents. Fine body of people, the Greens, the Libertarians, the Peace and Freedom, and this is the interesting one in California -- the nonpartisan.

Now, if you're a nonpartisan in California, you can vote, of course, in the Democratic primary. And it could be the nonpartisans that -- I won't use the word troublemakers. But you could be the nonpartisans who hold the day over here.

PHILLIPS: But Richard, aren't we supposed to be nonpartisans, we're the journalists, right, so that's what we check? QUEST: Well, yes, there's a difference between being neutral and being nonpartisan.

PHILLIPS: OK, got it. Sorry about the little flub there when I thought we were going to some sound with voters. You're quite the trooper for saving me there. Richard Quest, always entertaining to see you.

QUEST: Oh, no, no -- I will thank you very much. And you'll have to excuse me, because being a Californian yourself, Kyra, you'll know that it's 20 to 12:00, the sun is up, it's time for lunch.

PHILLIPS: There you go, and then you hit the beach. The surf is looking good. Richard Quest, great to see you.

All right, let's take you back over to Don Lemon. He's at the Varsity drive-in, if you don't know what the Varsity Drive-In, well, folks, it is one of the biggest ...

LEMON: I was sitting there ...

PHILLIPS: ...and most popular drive-ins in the country.

LEMON: Kyra, I'm sitting here listening to Richard, I said if he keeps talking, it's going to be breakfast time out there. He's going on about the -- it is, it is the world's biggest drive-in, it's gimungous (ph), gigantic.

Hey, you know, people are talking online a lot. They're also sending in some i-Reports. I want you to take a look at this one, Kyra. This one is actually from my neighborhood here in Atlanta, it's in Virginia Highland. It's from our i-Reporter Judy Smith. She said she was at a gymnasium earlier today and she said the line was wrapped around the walls of the gymnasium. Only two poll workers, so she said it took too much time. She's not sure if there weren't enough poll workers there, if it was the new voter I.D. law or what, but she said she was held up.

Getting a number of reports like that. I don't have anything here that shows anything that out of the ordinary, but that's one of our i-Reporters. If you have some i-Reports from the polling places, send it in, CNN.com/ireports.

Now, we want to move on and to talk about -- man, this is a dream if you are a blogger, Super Tuesday is. Lots of stuff going on on the blogs today.

Joining me now from Los Angeles, Roy Sekoff, he is with the -- can we say left-leaning Huffington Post. And then Matt Lewis is from D.C., he's with townhall.com, sort of a conservative-leaning blog spot.

So, these people, I'm just looking at it, guys -- thank you all for joining us today.

ROY SEKOFF, FOUNDING EDITOR, HUFFINGTON POST: Thank you (ph), Don.

LEMON: I'm looking at some of the information sent in, just to some of our viewers. Some of the people from the Atlanta Journal Constitution, arrived at 7:00, voting machines were not working. It took me less than five minutes. Some people having to get -- my son was 18, he couldn't find. Are people blogging about things that are happening at the polling places or are they talking really getting more in-depth about the election on the blogs? Let's start with you, Matt.

MATT LEWIS, TOWNHALL.COM: Well, I haven't heard too much about the actual voting machines. In fact, I don't know if you remember in South Carolina, there were allegations that something was amiss and it turned out to be nothing.

The big story right now on the conservative blogs, aside from West Virginia, is that earlier today, Rush Limbaugh read a letter that Bob Dole sent him, former Senator Bob Dole, sent him establishing John McCain's bona fides as a conservative.

Now, conservative bloggers have attacked this, because No. 1, Bob Dole wasn't a trusted conservative to begin with, No. 2, he lost his election. And so, that's something that's being debated.

LEMON: And you know what, I'm glad, I'm glad you brought that up, Matt because I mean, even, I just got this in. Focus on the family, James Dobson, also quoting "Today," and I think you're reporting this on your blog. He said, "Should Senator McCain become the nominee, I believe this general election," and I'm paraphrasing here, "will offer the worst choices for president in my life." He's not going to vote. And he carries a lot of weight.

LEWIS: That -- he does, he does. There's millions of Americans listen to Dr. Dobson every day on the radio. And he said this on Laura Ingram's radio show "Today," which sort of showing how talk radio and conservative blogs are really, really important this cycle.

But you're right, and that sort of goes hand-in-hand with what Ann Coulter said last week. In fact, Ann Coulter went so far as to say that Hillary Clinton would be better than John McCain.

LEMON: Yes.

LEWIS: I don't personally agree, but that's what she said.

LEMON: OK, so, Roy, here's -- this is -- this is -- and I think they talked -- for the (AUDIO GAP) ...

SEKOFF: Don, you're breaking up a little bit. I don't know if it's the ketchup or the mustard.

LEMON: We have another mic. How's that? We have another microphone. Are we working?

SEKOFF: OK, Don. LEMON: We all good? OK, so the Democrats seem for the most part seem to like both choices. The Republicans, they either love the guy they're with or hate the other guy. What do you say about that, Roy?

SEKOFF: Well, that's -- you're exactly right, Don. That's the most interesting thing that's happening. I mean, you know, there's, of course, some tensions of very hard-fought campaign among the Democrats between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. But it's more like a family squabble.

The Republicans are like the Hatfields and the McCoys. I mean, they are going at it tooth and nail. You know, we have McCain and Romney going at each other, demanding that each other apologizing. On Matt's site, at Townhall, my favorite thing of the day was an op-ed from Chuck Norris who was complaining that Mitt Romney was trying to buy the election and he complained that it was the campaign finance reform laws that was the problem.

So, I'm not sure if he was thinking that if he had the ability, he could give all of his residuals from lone wolf McCain to Mike Huckabee so he could fight the fight. It's unbelievable.

LEMON: And Roy, real quick, real quick, the vitriol seems to be, I mean, in high gear on the blogs. People are saying you know, if my candidate isn't picked, I'm going to switch sides or I'm not going to vote at all. I mean, what's going on here?

SEKOFF: I think actually that, you know, on the Democratic side, I think people -- when they have had the exit polls, people are very happy with their second choice. I mean, the people who want Obama, really Obama.

LEMON: Right.

SEKOFF: But they'd be happy to vote for Hillary and the people backing Hillary, they're passionate about it, but they can get behind Hillary. Whereas, I think, the people who are supporting McCain would rather die than vote for Mitt Romney. As you hear, Ann Coulter ...

LEMON: Yes.

SEKOFF: ...with her, you know, her molotov cocktail, I'd rather vote for Hillary. It's amazing.

LEMON: OK guys, unfortunately, we can talk about this all day. And if you want to just check out the blogs because they're really just as, you know, people are talking about it every day. Here at the diner, they're talking about it on the blogs as well, like I said, very fiery.

Roy Sekoff from the Huffingtonpost.com and then Matt Lewis from Townhall.com. Thank you both for joining us today in the CNN NEWSROOM.

LEWIS: Thank you.

SEKOFF: (INAUDIBLE), Don.

LEWIS: Have a good day.

LEMON: All right.

PHILLIPS: Don, thanks.

Well, it started with an Internet sensation. Now, Obama girl is not alone. But which clips really caught your attention?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: So what's on voters' minds this Super Tuesday? We've got reporters at polling places all across the country.

A.J. HAMMER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT ANCHOR: Lots of candidates have lots of star support on this Super Tuesday, but who's backing who? Well, I'll tell you next coming up in the NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

PHILLIPS: California clout, 370 Democratic delegates are at stake today in California alone. Republicans are fighting over 170 delegates. Why so many? Population -- California's home to more than 36 million people, the most of any state.

Now, just like everyone else, a lot of celebrities will be heading to the polls today. "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT"'s A.J. Hammer is here to talk about when celebrities and politicians mix. A lot of times they do.

A.J., do celebrity endorsements really help the candidates? We see a lot of them out there.

HAMMER: Yes, we do, Kyra.

The celebrity factor certainly can help, but it's probably not going to be a make-or-break factor in this election. And as we have come to expect, stars are definitely getting involved in backing candidates in all kinds of ways, such as this video for Barack Obama. Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WILL.I.AM, BLACK EYED PEAS: ... written into the founding documents that declare the destiny of a nation. Yes, we can.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: ... written into the founding documents that declare the destiny of a nation. Yes, we can.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HAMMER: That is Will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. He took Obama's speech after the New Hampshire primary, set it to music and invited 40 other celebrities to sing along with him. Of course, Obama's biggest celebrity endorsement has been from Oprah Winfrey, who headlined a rally with Maria Shriver to support Obama out there in California.

And even in New Jersey, Obama can get celebrities like Robert De Niro out to support him. Now, these bold-faced names certainly can get a candidate some attention, but when it comes down to votes, Kyra, it's not clear how on exactly how much they can, in fact, help.

PHILLIPS: Well, would you say Hollywood as an industry, and celebrities in particular, tend to support Democrats over Republicans? Can you say?

HAMMER: What do you think? Now, I think that's something that a lot of people have actually felt along the way. And they're actually now is some signs, at least the numbers we can look to, back that up.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, almost 80 percent of the political donations so far this year that came from the entertainment industry have gone to Democrats. We're talking around $12 million here, and it's not just Obama.

Hillary Clinton also, and quite expectedly, I would say, doing very well among the Hollywood set. Now this, of course, is a resource that the Clintons have focused on ever since Bill Clinton used Hollywood stars to help him win the presidency. So, in addition to more than $2 million in donations for Hillary, a number of stars that we've spoken with, from Sally Field to Laura Linney to America Ferrera, said that they will be supporting Hillary Clinton.

Now, the Republicans are not totally devoid of star power. Mike Huckabee, John McCain and Mitt Romney all have some celebrity fans who are out on the campaign trail, but certainly not in the numbers that the Democrats do. But yes, on the whole, that support falls more from the Democrats' side from the entertainment industry.

Now, coming up tonight, it's "SHOWBIZ TONIGHT"'s super star Tuesday. The other super Tuesday, from Britney to Whitney, TomKat to Brangelina, we will have for you the startling results of this online vote about the hottest, most controversial stars and topics in Hollywood. You will not want to miss this very special event.

"SHOWBIZ TONIGHT" super star Tuesday. It's tonight on TVs's most provocative entertainment news show, 11:00 p.m. Eastern and Pacific on "Headline News." The results, Kyra, they are still coming in. It's going to be a horse race.

PHILLIPS: All right, we'll track it. Thanks, A.J.

HAMMER: You got it.

PHILLIPS: Well, it started with an Internet sensation. Now Obama girl is not alone. But, which clips really caught your attention.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) PHILLIPS: Political ads are usually serious business, but this year mockery hit the mainstream, thanks to the Internet. Here's what caught the eye of CNN's Jeanne Moos.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JEANNE MOOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just in time for voters to ignore, we present the Super Tuesday political video award.

(on-camera): The award for the best adaptation of someone else's video, i.e., best rip-off, goes to "I Got a Crush on Hillary."

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I got a crush on Hillary. You're the sexiest candidate.

MOOS (voice-over): Sound familiar?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Because I got a crush on Obama.

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."

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.

MOOS: 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 ...

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Riding on a dinosaur, you and me.

MOOS: ... and religion.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You were a drain in 2007, going to be depressed without a heaven.

MOOS (on-camera): By the way, the dinosaur in this one deserves the best supporting actor.

(voice-over): She not only rides it, she does some deep dino- kissing. Yes, we can, give the award for most repetitious video to "Yes We Can."

OBAMA: Three words that will ring from coast to coast, yes we can, yes we can.

MOOS: Actually this is a serious video dreamed up by Will.i.am from Black Eyed Peas and featuring celebs ranging from Scarlet Johansson to John Legend.

(on-camera): The best child actor award is no-brainer. It goes to "Swift Kids for Truth."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Obama.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: His name is really difficult to say.

MOOS (voice-over): And then there was the one about Hillary Clinton, disparaging the act of baking cookies.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why put down cookies, then offer up a recipe for cookies?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Which is it, huh -- huh?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Why the double standard?

MOOS (on-camera): The beating a good idea into the ground award goes to "Super Obama Girl."

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Obama.

MOOS (voice-over): These days, if you hope for a hit video, doesn't suffice to wear your political affiliation on your sleeve.

Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Decision day across America. Big states, small states and lots of states in between.

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