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More Speeches by Candidates; Discussion of the Various Campaigns

Aired February 17, 2008 - 16:00   ET

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

MARY SNOW, CNN, ANCHOR: Good afternoon. And welcome to this special edition of CNN's "Ballot Bowl" coming to you today live from Milwaukee. I'm Mary Snow. Over the next two hours, you'll be hearing from presidential candidates out on the campaign trail, sometimes we'll be hearing from them live, sometimes on tape. Always unfiltered as they vie for your vote and their party's nomination. And also here in Milwaukee is my co-anchor Jessica Yellin.
JESSICA YELLIN, CNN, ANCHOR: Hi, Mary. Well you are inside a bowling alley, I'm inside a diner. It's all because this is where both places, the democratic and the republican candidates make stop. But also the wintry weather outside is making it very difficult to spend any time outdoors. In fact, Barack Obama canceled an entire day's worth of events here in Wisconsin because weather grounded him when he was trying to get here earlier today. They canceled his trip here.

And Senator Clinton had to cancel at least one event, though she has headed out for other events in the state for later in the afternoon. We are still awaiting any word of what Barack Obama might really be doing today. But he certainly is not here in Wisconsin. I tell you, both candidates were here in Milwaukee last night. They were speaking to the Founders Day Dinner, that's an annual gathering of the state's democratic party activists. Folks there were enormously excited about both candidates. Folks there predicting a record high turnout in the primary here on Tuesday. We got to hear from both Senator Clinton and Obama. Let's listen first to Senator Clinton talking about some of her solutions to economic woes including health care and the mortgage crisis. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know this will not be easy. Those who claim that it can be done with relatively little effort don't understand what we're up against. We face real challenges, real threats. We have to be ready to summon the experience, the wisdom, and the determination to solve our problems. It will take more than just speeches to fulfill our dreams. It will take a lot of hard work. So, if we get america back into the solutions business, if we get real about our future, I am confident that we'll be back here in five years and we will say, weren't we on top of it, didn't we understand what we had to do no make a difference? Because, together, there isn't anything that can stop us.

So let's get real about the economy. We see an America where our economy works not just for the few, the wealthy and the well connected, but works for all of us, how will we do that? Well, we're going start by creating good jobs again and by keeping the jobs we have here and preventing them from being exported like they were some disposable commodity. We can do this.

We have to change our trade policy. We have to change our tax policy. We have to change our vision and understanding about what it will take to create the jobs of the future. But that's what I've been doing for years. You know, upstate New York has a lot in common with Wisconsin. We've lost our manufacturing base, but I didn't say, well, that's the end. We can't do it. Because, you see, I don't believe we can have a strong economy and a strong country without a strong manufacturing base. So I'm going to work to make sure we get it back.

Let's get real about our energy policy. Let's see an America that stands up to the oil companies and the oil producing countries and say, you don't need our tax dollars any longer to make outrageous profits. Let's begin to take the tax subsidies away from the oil companies. Let's impose a windfall profit tax on these outrageous profits and put to it work on clean, renewable energy. Now, I know we can't do any of this until the two oil men leave the White House, but as soon as they do, we're going to be ready for a new energy future, with the millions and millions of jobs that we could create. I think we can create 5 million jobs in the next ten years if we do this right. And there's no reason we can't. You know, earlier today I said to the folks at the shop, I said, look, Germany's creating jobs with solar power, hundreds of thousands of them. We have a lot of people in Wisconsin from German descent. There's as many sunny days in Wisconsin as there is in Germany. Let's get busy and create these jobs right here in Milwaukee, and in Oshkosh, and in Green Bay, and Eau Claire and now in Madison.

Let's get real about health care. Now, we have a choice. We have 47 million people uninsured. We can continue to think that's a terrible problem and do nothing about it. Or we can roll up our sleeves and come up with a uniquely American solution. That is what I have proposed. You see, I think it is morally wrong that you have 547,000 people in Wisconsin who don't have health insurance. I think it is a national disgrace. Are we saying to ourselves, we just can't figure this out? We can't take on the health insurance companies, we can't take on the republicans to achieve universal health care? I don't accept that for a minute. Universal health care has been a fundamental, democratic party. It's been part of the progressive tradition here in Wisconsin for as long as anyone can remember. We cannot in any way seed universal health care. It should be a defying issue in this general election. I believe we can win on universal health care.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Senator Hillary Clinton speaking again in Milwaukee last night to democratic party activists. Senator Clinton is here in the state of Wisconsin, campaigning today, but Barack Obama is not. He has spent the night in Chicago. And while his press corps is still in Chicago cooling their heels, CNN has learned that Barack Obama took a quiet trip to North Carolina to meet with John Edwards. As you know John Edwards suspended his campaign earlier and has yet to endorse either candidate. We know that he has met privately and quietly with Senator Hillary Clinton. She and her surrogates have been seeking his endorsement.

And now Barack Obama visiting with John Edwards, also no doubt seeking his support in this race as the race remains enormously tight. Both of them are looking for whatever edge they can get, particularly among those blue collar voters who are so crucial to the electorate in both Wisconsin and especially in Ohio. It could decide who wins Ohio and it could decide the race, therefore, for Senator Clinton or Obama. We have no word whether John Edwards even plans to endorse. Some close to him say he might not for some time.

But again, this meeting taking place quietly between John Edwards and Barack Obama. We're told that people close to John Edwards have said both candidates have been seeking his advice, asking him what they can do to incorporate his message of poverty into their campaign platforms. And that John Edwards' top consideration, according to a number of advisers close to him, is which of these democrats does he consider to be most electable? He very much wants to be sure that he backs the person who could beat the republican in the general nomination and he is weighing this question of electability as well as the question which one of them will carry his banner on the poverty issues most vigorously.

So, their both vying closely for his attention. We understand that one TV affiliate in the state of North Carolina actually got video of this. It's WTVD. WTVD got video of the Edwards-Obama greeting. At least a part of their meeting, and will be broadcasting it later this evening. So, an exciting development on what was otherwise a seemingly quiet day for Barack Obama. We will bring you more on that when we have it. I think now we will turn to some of what Barack Obama had to say when he was here in Milwaukee last night, speaking to that same group of democrats Senator Clinton addressed. You just heard it. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'd like to take all the credit for all the excitement but I know part of it is people know they will be going to the ballot box in November and the name George W. Bush will not be on the ballot and they're cheerful about that. The name of my cousin, Dick Cheney, won't be on the ballot. That was really embarrassing when that news broke. Just an ancestor in common. Yet when they do these genealogical surveys. you are hoping that you are related to somebody cool. But Dick Cheney, that is a let-down. His name will not be on the ballot, which means the Scooter Libby justice and brownie incompetence and Karl Rove politics will finally be over next year. That we know.

So Hillary and I agree that we have to change the policies of George Bush. And both of us have spent this campaign and our careers putting forth specific detail, policies and solutions, to turn this country around. As there are differences between us, but there are also many similarities. I understand that Senator Clinton just recently decided to support my idea that I have have been promoting for several years now, a patriot employer act that would reward companies that create jobs right here in America that we start taking away tax breaks from companies for shipping jobs overseas and we reward companies that are doing right by workers and communities right here in Wisconsin and all across the country.

Let's be clear. The problem we have is not the lack of good ideas. It's not the lack of good ideas. It's that Washington is the place where good ideas go to die. It's that lobbyists crush them with their money and their influence. It's the politicians spend too much time trying to score political points and not enough time trying to bridge their differences so we can get something done for the American people. All of us should be in the solutions business, but all too often it ends up being business as usual where we put forward all kinds of detailed plans and they get filed in drawers somewhere and the dust starts accumulating, because nobody can inspire the country and build a working majority to actually deliver on the promises, because the American people have given up expecting that promises in Washington will ever be kept.

What we need is a president who is in the business of solving problems and we will solve those problems by bringing the country together and rallying the United States of America around a common purpose because we are a party that is at its best when we lead not by polls but by principles and not by calculations, but by convictions. When we summon the entire nation around a common purpose and a higher purpose and that's the reason that I am running for president of the United States of America.

I know what it takes to pass health care reform, because I've done it. Not by demonizing those who disagree with me, but in Illinois, by bringing democrats and republicans together to provide health insurance to 150,000 children and parents who didn't have it. That's how I will work to pass universal health care when I'm president of the United States. And you don't have to take my word for it. Ted Kennedy said he wouldn't have endorsed me if he didn't believe passionately that I would bring about universal health care as president. Nobody has fought harder for universal health care than Ted Kennedy. The millions of working men and women of the Service Employers International Union wouldn't have endorsed me if they didn't believe that I would bring about universal health care because they've been fighting for that cause for decades. The SCIU in the house? All right. I applaud Senator Clinton and all the other candidates. Senator Edwards, Governor Richardson and others for advancing a health care plan. Senator Clinton plan includes many of the proposals I put out when I put forward my plan last spring.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Senator Barack Obama speaking last night in Milwaukee. And he and Senator Clinton will have a further chance to go at each other on these issues, on health care reform, the economic crisis, all of it in a debate CNN is sponsoring this Thursday, February 21st. It's in Austin, Texas. It will happen at 8:00 Eastern time. So, be sure to tune in for that debate. Again, Thursday the 21st at 8:00. Senators Clinton and Obama have another chance to go head to head. I'll throw it back now to my colleague Mary Snow who is also here in Milwaukee. Mary.

SNOW: And Jessica, we're going to be taking a look at the republican side of the presidential race, Mike Huckabee, sneaking away for a getaway at a Caribbean paradise before heading back to snowy Wisconsin. And John McCain taking a break before announcing a big endorsement that comes tomorrow. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back to CNN "Ballot Bowl." I'm Mary Snow. Coming to you live today from Milwaukee, Wisconsin will be holding its primary on Tuesday. And the candidates have been campaigning here in Wisconsin. Mike Huckabee, on the republican side, is expected to come to this bowling alley later today. Last night, he was in the Cayman islands taking a bit of a break where he delivered a speech. This was his speech at an awards banquet, speaking to young people and the team was leadership. He had given a similar speech a couple years ago and was paid to come back. He said to reporters the other day that he needs to make a living just like everyone else and that is why he decided to keep his commitment. Mike Huckabee stayed away from presidential politics in his speech last night and really kind of focusing on leadership, motivational skills. And let's take listen to what Mike Huckabee had to say last night in the Cayman Islands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE HUCKABEE (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Having a purpose is where it starts. Knowing that there's something that we're setting out to do and not letting anything get in the way. By the way, sometimes the greatest challenge we have is that all those around us may tell us that we can't do it. Listening to the blue birds, listening to the critics, is the number one reason that many people who could achieve great things never do it, because they were so busy hearing what others told them they can't do that they never realized that within them was the capacity to do things greater than they themselves ever dreamed.

Daring to dream is knowing it takes some risks that the greatest risk also exacts the greatest rewards. Having the purpose is not enough if you don't have a plan. I would imagine if you have any of the five of these they will tell you not only do they have a definite idea of what they want to do in life but they had a plan to get there.

When I was a little kid I will never forget in the Sunday schoolroom where I attended Sunday school as a small child there was a sign on the wall of the Sunday school class and it made no sense to me whatsoever as a 6-year-old, none. But I remembered the sign. I remember the words of it. And when I became an adult it made perfect sense to me because the sign simply had six words in it and says this. Plan your work and right underneath it said, work your plan. And I found that that so very true in terms of carving out something that you want to succeed in. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Planning what you want to do and then doing it is the difference between those who actually accomplish their dreams and those who simply dream their dreams. And then there's perseverance. There's a saying that we say in the south a lot and that is it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog that determines the outcome. My wife and I have three dogs. One is a great big, about 90 pound black labradoor retriever. Then we have a tiny little Shitzu and then a King Charles cavalier spaniard. Now, the little shitzu is the smallest of the three dogs by a long shot. But if the three of them go after the same piece of food, it's the little dog that gets the food. He doesn't know he's a little dog. He doesn't know he can't beat up those other two dogs. And you know what? They don't seem to know that he can't do it either.

Part of the challenge of daring to dream and getting there is being willing to persevere when everybody says there's no point and you can't do it. Greatest achievements in the world have been done by the people who were told they couldn't do it. Did you know that Walt Disney was once fired by a newspaper editor because he was told he didn't have any creative ideas? I don't know who the editor is but I know who Walt Disney is. You know that Louisa May Alcott was rejected for many of her stories time after time because editors read her stuff and said it just didn't have any popular appeal?

Are you aware that Ed W. Woolworth who founded the Woolworth Department store chain was kept in the back stocking goods by the manager of his first job at the store because the manager said Woolworth just didn't have enough sense to wait on the customers and do anything but the stock the freight. Are you aware that when Thomas Edison was just a child and first going to school, the schoolteacher asked his mother to please keep him at home because he just so stupid that he was even incapable of learning anything and he was a distraction to the rest of the class.

In my own home state of Arkansas there's a gentleman by the name of Sam Walton, ran a little five and dime store in Newport, Arkansas. His landlord didn't renew his lease, thought there was no future in a store like that. So, he canceled Sam Walton's lease on the five and dime store. Sam Walton thought about just quitting and giving it up all together but decided he would make more one more go of it. He moved to a little town of Bentonville, Arkansas, and opened up his own store and decided that he would run it a little differently than he had to under a franchise agreement. And he started his own store.

By the way, I'm sure you've heard of it, it's maybe not here on the islands but the rest of the world is pretty well aware of Wal-Mart, became the largest corporation in the world. All started with a guy who lost his lease because his landlord didn't think that he had the kind of capacity to make ago of it in the retail world. Life is filled with people who are told what they couldn't do, but they did it anyway.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: There you have Mike Huckabee speaking last night in the Cayman Islands, giving a motivational speech. He did not mention the presidential race but talked about not listening to the critics and trying to defy the odds and that is certainly something that he is trying to do as he ignores strong hints within the republican party that it is time for him to exit this race because it will be impossible for him to catch up to Senator John McCain in terms of delegates. But Mike Huckabee is saying he's vowing to go forward, give the republican party a choice and he wants to be the conservative choice. We're going to take a quick break but when we come back, we will hear from frontrunner Senator John McCain. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back to CNN's "Ballot Bowl," a chance for you to hear directly from the candidates, sometimes live, sometimes on tape, always unfiltered. I'm Mary Snow keeping tabs on the republican side of the presidential race. It's been fairly quiet on the campaign trail this weekend for the republicans. Front-runner Senator John McCain went home to Arizona, but when he gets back on the campaign trail tomorrow, he's expected to do so with a big announcement. He's traveling to Houston, Texas, and tomorrow he is expected to announce the endorsement along the side of former President George H.W. Bush.

After that endorsement, he's expected to come back to Wisconsin later in the day to continue campaigning. Although Senator John McCain is the likely republican nominee, he is still being challenged on the republican side by Mike Huckabee, who is vowing to provide an alternative conservative choice. Senator John McCain is repeatedly asked about that on the campaign trail. Earlier this week he was in Burlington, Vermont, where he was campaigning. He spoke about his rival Mike Huckabee and also continued to draw contrast between himself and his democratic rivals. Earlier this week, here is Senator John McCain in his own words.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I'd like to say is you know Governor Huckabee is still in this race. I respect his candidacy and I respect his -- his continued participation in this race and I will respect that and we will continue to campaign hard. I will also campaign hard if we are fortunate enough to get the nomination all over this country. I will take my campaign everywhere in the United States of America if I'm the nominee of the party.

My friends, I will not concede a single vote or a single state to my opponent because I believe that the United States of America is going to have -- is going to have the opportunity -- the opportunity to have a very stark differences in philosophy and view of the role of government. I am proudly standing before you as a conservative republican that believes in less government, lower taxes, less regulation, that families make decision on health care and not government, and that I can provide this nation security and I have the experience and knowledge and background.

So, we will have stark differences. That debate will be respectful but there's no doubt in my mind that we have a difference between either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama and myself. I want to lower your taxes, they want to raise your taxes, I want to have less government and they want more government. They believe government is the solution to your problem. I think the ingenuity, innovation and the individual strength of America lies with the family and small businesses across America and across Vermont. I believe, I believe that this nation face as transcendent threat of radical Islamic extremism, and I believe that my knowledge, my experience, my background and my judgment qualifies me to take on that with no on-the-job training. No on-the-job training. I'd like to talk to you just for a minute about our economy. You know the economy is in tough shape right now that we've got enormous challenges. Let me start out by saying I believe the fundamentals of our economy are still strong.

We're still the greatest innovator, the greatest exporter, the greatest innovator, the greatest producer and the world and we will continue to do so. We also know that we have difficulties and some challenge. Let's take them on. Let's face them and let's fix them. That's what America is all about, my friends. I know that we can.

SNOW: Republican presidential hopeful Senator John McCain campaigning in Vermont earlier this week, saying he is not taking the Republican nomination for granted until he does get 11,091 delegates. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back we will be taking a closer look at the severe weather in the south. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

(AUDIO BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Storms are socking the Midwest again. The states blanketed in snow. Dangerous, freezing rain is in the mix as well. The Deep South is also bracing for severe weather. In fact, some storm systems have already swept through the south, particularly in Florida. Let's take a look at new images that we're getting in right now. Just north of Pensacola, you're looking at the storm damage that's taken place there. You see power lines, trees are down and there are some damages to structures. We understand that in Molino, Florida, it's possible that four homes were damaged when a tornado may have touched down there. Let's get more specifics on the complete weather picture now from Jacqui Jeras in the Weather Center.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Fredricka, it's been a very rough afternoon for the Pan Hand of Florida and Alabama and now moving into Georgia. We have a tornado watch in effect and several warnings. Let's show you the map. The general area that we're talking about across central and southern parts of Alabama and then into northern Georgia, new tornado watch has just been issued there until 9:00 local time. The worst of the weather right now is kind of focusing in on the Alabama/Georgia state line and all those red boxes that you can see there. That's where we have tornado warnings in effect.

Which means a tornado is either being indicated by Doppler radar or could be spotted on the ground. That's what's going on right here right now in Covington and Andes Calmia (ph) Counties, Alabama, possible tornado on the ground now being reported by law enforcement near Dixie. This is just to the southwest of Andalusia and this area has already received some damage from a tornado earlier this afternoon.

Now we're taking you to the Atlanta metro area. Tornado warning has been issued there for Douglas and Fulton County. This will likely stay to the south of the Atlanta down town area, but areas like East Point, College Park down towards the airport; you need to be seeking shelter right now. Then right to the north of you, follow Alabama, that's on the state line there, too, just to the south of Columbia. There has been a history of damage with that possible tornado.

Look at this squaw line. This is going to be an on going event through the rest of the afternoon and into the evening hours. Now we have the northern side of the storm system. It doesn't look like a lot on the radar here but the snow is coming down really heavy from Green Bay down towards Madison. Fredricka, the winds are just incredible. Look at those sustained winds, around 35 miles per hour. You get that for three hours and that's what we call a blizzard, my friend.

WHITFIELD: Convinced of that. Thanks so much Jacqui.

And other news that we're following. It is considered the biggest beef recall in U.S. history. More than 140 million pounds of frozen beef products declared unfit for human consumption by the Agriculture Department. The move was announced today in the wake of animal cruelty charges against two former employees of West Land Hallmark Meat Company of California. Federal officials suspended operations at a company's slaughter house after uncovering video that showed the crippling of some animals, also other animals that were sick, all being shoved along with pitchforks.

No sooner did Kosovo declare independence from Serbia today then efforts began to block the move. Serbia immediately denounced the decision by the parliament and ally Russia requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Moscow says an independent Kosovo could reignite Vulcan tensions and bolster separatist movements around the world. Kosovo has been administered by the U.N., NATO's air campaign forced Serbian troops out in 1999. General Wesley Clark was NATO commander at the time.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEN. WESLEY CLARK (RET.), FMR. NATO SUPREME ALLIED CMDR EUROPE: I'm very pleased for the people of Kosovo. They've gone through a long, difficult period. And I hope that their Declaration of Independence will be accompanied by deep respect for the Serb minority that everyone will do this without violence to each other and that they'll have the opportunity to build a successful and peaceful country in the heart of Europe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The U.S. and EU are expected to formally endorse Kosovo's independence as early as tomorrow.

A Taliban spokesman says the group was not behind today's suicide bombing at a dogfight in southern Afghanistan. As many as 80 people were killed and dozens more wounded. Anti-Taliban militia leader was among the dead. Officials say he may have been the target.

More pre-election violence in Pakistan today as attackers targeted polling stations, as workers preparing for tomorrow's parliamentary vote. Several people were reported killed. The election is widely seen as a referendum on the rule of President Pervez Musharaf. Analyst say if his party does poorly, opposition lawmakers could move toward impeachment.

It's the American dream turned American nightmare. More and more people losing their homes to foreclosure. Today at 6:00 Eastern, we'll introduce you to some people who are facing this very problem and learning exactly how do deal with it.

Plus if you have a mortgage or credit question, e-mail us at WEEKENDS@CNN.com. We'll have counselors giving you answers live. That's today, 6:00 Eastern, 3:00 Pacific, right here in the "CNN Newsroom."

I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Atlanta. Back to more CNN's BALLOT BOWL 08 right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

Good afternoon. You're watching a special edition of CNN's BALLOT BOWL, a chance for you to hear directly from the presidential candidates. We're coming live today from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I'm Mary Snow keeping tabs on the Republican presidential candidates. On the Democratic side is Jessica Yellin also here in Milwaukee. Jessica, I hear you have news involving Senator Barack Obama and John Edwards.

YELLIN: That is right Mary. As you know Senator Edwards' endorsement is being much sought by both the Clinton camp and the Obama camp. Today, CNN's Candy Crowley has confirmed that John Edwards sat down with Barack Obama, also Elizabeth Edwards there at the Edwards' home in North Carolina. And according to a spokesperson for the Obama campaign, Bill Burton, their meeting was about the campaign and the pressing issues facing American families.

We have been told from a number of sources close to John Edwards and his now suspended campaign that Edwards is looking for two things in these candidates. One, who is going to be most effective in carrying on his message fighting for working Americans, fighting poverty in this country. Number two, which of these candidates is most elect able. They say if he's considering an endorsement he wants to be sure he's backing the person who has the best chance of beating a Republican in the general election.

All of these advisers also caution that John Edwards has not certainly committed to endorse any candidate at least that was the latest information we had. There is still a chance that he might want to keep out of the endorsement business for some time. If he were to endorse say today or tomorrow, it could have an enormous impact here in Wisconsin where many of the voters are those very blue collar working class voters that were in support of the Edwards' message to do more to help the little guy and it can have an even greater impact on the race in Ohio where so many folks there, the key voters. Which way will the Edwards' voter goes? To Clinton, to Obama that could make all the difference and an Edwards endorsement certainly would propel them in one direction. That is the big news for the moment. Barack Obama and John Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards sitting down for a meeting in North Carolina.

We also want to bring you what Senator Clinton has had to say on these very same issues that are so interesting to John Edwards, so concerning to John Edwards. The play of working Americans and policies she said she would enact to make their lot in life better. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: So let's get real about the economy. We see an America where our economy works not just for the few, the wealthy and the well connected, but works for all of us, how will we do that? We'll, we're going to start by creating good jobs again and by keeping the jobs we have here and preventing them from being exported like they were some disposable commodity. We can do this.

We have to change our trade policy. We have to change our tax policy. We have to change our vision and understanding about what it will take to create the jobs of the future. But that's what I've been doing for years. You know, upstate New York has a lot in common with Wisconsin. We've lost our manufacturing base. But I didn't say, well, that's the end. We can't do it. Because you see, I don't believe we can have a strong economy and a strong country without a strong manufacturing base.

So I'm going to work to make sure we get it back. Let's get real about our energy policy. Let's see an America that stands up to the oil companies and the oil producing countries and says, you don't need our tax dollars any longer to make outrageous profits. Let's begin to take the tax subsidies away from the oil companies. Let's impose a windfall profit tax on these outrageous profits and put it to work on clean, renewable energy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Senator Clinton speaking to Democratic Party activists in Wisconsin underscoring her message she has policy solutions not just promises.

Barack Obama speaking shortly after Senator Clinton at that same event. Took on the message that he is the stronger candidate to beat John McCain in the general election.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: It's time to turn the page on eight years of a foreign policy that has made us less safe and less respected in the world. If I am the nominee of this party, John McCain will not be able to say that I agreed with him about the war in Iraq because I didn't. He won't be able to say that -- he won't be able to say that I agreed with him on giving the benefit of the doubt to George Bush on Iran, because I haven't. He won't be able to say that I agree with him in embracing the Bush/Cheney policy and not talking to leaders that we don't like because I believe in a different principle. I believe in talking, not just to our friends but to our enemies, not just the leaders we like, but those we -- detest.

Because I remember what John F. Kennedy said. He said, we should never negotiate out of fear but we should never fear to negotiate. That's what strong countries and strong presidents do, they talk to their adversaries and they tell them where America stands. They try to resolve differences without resorting to war. My job as president will be to keep you safe. That's my first obligation. I will not hesitate to strike against those who will do us harm. But part of that means keeping our military intact. And that means training them properly and equipping them properly and putting them on proper rotations and treating our veterans with the honor and dignity they deserve when they come home. No more homeless veterans. No more begging for disability payments. No more waiting in line for the V.A. They have earned our respect.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Barack Obama making the case that he is the best candidate to face John McCain in the general election. And coming up, we're going to talk about some local endorsements. That's on the other side of this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. We're coming live to you today from Milwaukee. Wisconsin will be having its primary on Tuesday. Both Republicans and Democrats battling it out. I'm Mary Snow keeping tabs on the Republican side. Also here in Milwaukee is Jessica Yellin on the Democratic side. And Jessica the "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" came out with its endorsements, it has to be some good news on the Democratic side for Sen. Barack Obama. Right?

YELLIN: That's right. Today "Milwaukee Journal Sentinel" has endorsed Barack Obama, calling it change for the good in a statement they say that he represents a potential for change that can only help this country move on and progress. They also make the point that they don't agree with him on all aspects of his health care policies or his education policy. But they like what he stands for and his out side Washington status. So a good thumbs up for Barack Obama in this city. I kept in suspense where they went on the Republican side. I'll leave that to you, Mary.

SNOW: If you can imagine -- thank you -- on the Republican side, it is John McCain with the banner, principles count. And what the "Journal Sentinel" had to say about Senator John McCain, they said the "the Arizona senator's principles have selectively guided him to courageous stands and demonstrated an ability to transcend both party and ideology. It does have some criticism of Senator McCain saying that the pragmatic Senator McCain is a little bit different than the presidential candidate Senator McCain, particularly pointing out the fact that he did oppose tax cuts proposed by President Bush in the past.

But now is in favor of extending them. Also noting a change in tone in terms of immigration when it comes to illegal citizens here -- illegal aliens, that is. Overall, saying that he is the best choice. And also had some stinging words for Mike Huckabee, his Republican rival who is also in this race. Criticizing Mike Huckabee's stance on creating the fair tax and abolishing the IRS saying it really hurts the working class and also having sharp criticism for his support of a constitutional amendment when it comes to abortion and marriage.

That is how the newspaper is shaping up its endorsement, the head of Tuesday's primary. On the Republican side there are 37 delegates at stake. Certainly John McCain hoping to tack more delegates on to his tally sheet as he gets closer to the 1191 delegates needed. Jessica, the delegate debate on the Republican side is not nearly as half as dramatic as it is on the Democratic side.

SNOW: That's right. Democrats still so close in this race as the delegate count continues to remain close. Unclear whether either of the candidates will necessarily have a majority, certainly not after Tuesday's primary. Who knows what will happen after March 4th and going forward. We want to talk about all of that, the delegate count and also today's meeting between Senator John Edwards and Senator Barack Obama. That's on the other side of this break. We will be right back.

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YELLIN: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL where we bring you the candidates, sometimes live, sometimes on tape, but always unfiltered and in their own words. I'm Jessica Yellin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and I'm joined by my colleague Mary Snow, also in Milwaukee. Mary.

SNOW: Jessica, the weather as you know has been brutal here with a mixture of snow, rain and ice. Disrupted campaign plans today for Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. We want to right now go to Jacqui Jeras in the Weather Center because she has news about the severe weather in other parts of the country. Jacqui.

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