Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Newsroom

Continuing on the Campaign Trail; Clinton Wants Michigan, Florida Delegates Counted; Obama Meets Privately with Edwards; Severe Weather Grips Deep South and Midwest; Obama, Clinton Campaign in Wisconsin; A Look at Campaign Video Messages

Aired February 17, 2008 - 17:00   ET

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

MARY SNOW, CNN CORRESPONDENT: We want to go right now go to Jacqui Jeras in the weather center because she has some news about the severe weather in other parts of the country. Jacqui?
JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Well, we've got a lot of snow and ice going on across parts of Wisconsin, where you are in Milwaukee there, Mary, just getting the rain right now but that's going to change over to freezing rain and we're worried about icy conditions as we head towards the evening hours. The snow has been coming down in Green Bay. We've also been seeing this light snow across south western Wisconsin, from La Crosse down towards Prairie du Chien. And the winds here have been pushing up towards 35 miles per hour. So, some near whiteout conditions are expected at times. Travel is extremely treacherous. We've got numerous delays going on at Chicago, O'Hare as well due to low clouds and fog and more than 400 flights have been canceled. Now in the Deep South, we've got flights canceled and ground stop in effect at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson Airport because the thunderstorms and a possible tornado moving through there right now. Tornado watch is in effect across parts of the Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and in the northern Georgia. And this is going to extend throughout much of the evening. Our big focus in the last couple of hours really has been right within this quarter near the state line. And we've been getting many reports of damage across southern parts of Alabama. The tornado warning that's in effect for Fulton County, Georgia, which includes the downtown Atlanta area, places like Turner Field, for example, under a warning right now. That has just been extended to include places like Gwinnett County and also Dekalb County. So, be aware that that tornado could be moving up to the north and east into your neighborhood. A lot of damage is being reported in this area. This is southern Alabama. We had two injuries reported near Montgomery and Lowndesville (ph). So, take these tornadoes very seriously today. If those sirens go off, make sure you get to your lowest level of your home, away from doors and windows and seek shelter until these storms pass. We have a live shot to show you now out of the Atlanta area where we do have a tornado warning in effect. And that is one dark ominous looking picture there. No ground troops recorded. By on the north side of town, we heard some reports of damage and power lines out just due to some straight line winds. So, keep it here and we'll keep you up to date in the CNN Severe Weather Center. Mary, back to you.

SNOW: Jacqui, thank you very much. We'll be checking back with you later on. And Jessica, as we mentioned, the weather hampering Senator Barack Obama's plans for today. But it seems that he took advantage of not being on the campaign trail to take care of other business, right?

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right. CNN's Candy Crowley has confirmed that Senator Barack Obama had a private meeting with John and Elizabeth Edwards today. He met with them at their house in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and sat down according to Obama campaign spokesperson, Bill Burton. They'd discussed the state of the campaign and the pressing issues facing American families. Now, one source tells me that this was a meeting that was planned in advance. It was not a detour because of the weather but maybe they're going to play it that way. This is a meeting that John Edwards and Barack Obama have been intending to have for some time because they want to sit down and talk, essentially about an Edwards' endorsement. I mean, John Edwards has yet to endorse either of these two candidates: Clinton or Obama. And both campaigns have been vying aggressively for Edwards' nod. His voters, those blue collar working Americans who are focused on the economic conditions in this country, they are a key constituency that could deliver victory to either Senator Clinton or Senator Obama, particularly in the state of Ohio which Clinton has declared a must win for her campaign. Clinton had a sit down with John Edwards not so long ago. And we're told that she continues to court him, she and her surrogates, her supporters. And Barack Obama supporters have also been talking to the John Edwards, both Edwards and his folks around him, trying to get some indication of whether he plans to endorse or if he'll put his support behind his -- the Obama or the Clinton campaign. And now this is Barack Obama's latest effort to touch the flesh, go in person and let him no know not only that, you know, there's an interest in the endorsement but also to discuss with John Edwards exactly how he will incorporate those kind of poverty issues, the working class issues that matter so much to Edwards into a future Obama -- possible Obama presidency. This is what John Edwards is most concerned about. We've been told by people close to John Edwards, he's most concerned about who will carry the banner on for fighting poverty in America and also which of these two candidates is the most likely to beat a Republican in the general election. John Edwards, however, has not made it clear that he necessarily will endorse. So, we should keep open the possibility that he'll keep mum for some time. Meantime, Barack Obama has taken on Bush -- President Bush, saying that Bush's policies are failed policies and Barack Obama addressed this issue and comments (ph) here in Wisconsin. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: But in this election, at this moment, Americans are standing up all across the country to say not this time, not this year. The stakes are too high and the challenges are too great to play the same old Washington games with the same old Washington players and the same old lack of results. People want to turn the page. People want to write a new chapter in American history. And that is what this election is all about.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: Yes, we can. Now, I understand, this is not about me and it's not about Senator Clinton. As I said before, I have enormous respect for Senator Clinton as a person and as a public servant. She was my friend before this race started. She will be my friend after it's over. I did not get into the race to tear anybody down. I got into the race to lift this country up and to make sure that Democrats win in November. That is the goal of all of us, to deliver a better future for our children and grandchildren. Both Hillary and I agree on one thing that John McCain apparently does not, and the next president needs to end the disastrous policies of George W. Bush. I'd like to take on the credit for all the excitement but I know that 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. We have a distant ancestor in common. 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 era of 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 policies of George Bush. And both of us have spent this campaign and our careers putting forth specific detailed policies and solutions to turn this country around. There are differences between us, but there are also many similarities. I understand that Senator Clinton just recently decided to support my view that I've been promoting for several years now, a patriot employer act that would reward companies that create good jobs right here in America that we start taking away tax breaks from companies that are shipping jobs overseas and we reward companies that are doing right by workers and communities right here in Wisconsin and all across the country.

(APPLAUSE)

OBAMA: And 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 battle. It's that lobbyist crashed them with their money and their influence. It's that politicians spend too much time trying to score a political points and not enough time trying to bridge their differences so we can get something done for the American people. You know -- 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 people have given up expecting the promises in Washington will ever be kept. What we need is a president who's 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 the 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.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Barack Obama is speaking in Milwaukee last night. And now let's take a detour down south. This is Senator Hillary Clinton speaking in El Paso, Texas, earlier this week about her promise to create more jobs. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I met the people who work hard every single day but can't pay their energy bills. They can't fill up their gas tanks. They're looking for answers. And then I meet all of the people who want to solve the problems, the young people who are focused on a better future and want to make it happen.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: There isn't anything America can't do if we make up our minds to do it. Every one of us, every single one of us knows that tomorrow can be better than today, but it doesn't happen just by wishing it or hoping for it. It happens by working really, really hard to make it a reality to give everybody a better chance.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: I see an America where everyone willing to work hard has a job, with a rising income. And if you're willing to work full time, you have wages that lift you out of poverty. I want to make sure every American who works full time has a minimum wage of at least $9.50.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: In fact, I would require that Congress cannot raise its own salaries unless it raises the minimum wage. I see an America where health care is a moral right, not a privilege. Where every man, woman, and child has access to quality, affordable health care. We can do this. We can have a uniquely American solution. We already have a plan that we can make available to everyone. It's the plan that provides health care to members of Congress. And it works well for members of Congress and our staffs and federal employees. It has lots of choices. I want to make sure you have the same choices as your member of Congress does.

(APPLAUSE)

And we will help people pay for it because I want everybody, everybody to have quality-affordable health insurance. And I also see an America where we end our dependence on foreign oil and we start growing and making our own energy right here in Texas and America.

(APPLAUSE)

CLINTON: Aren't you tired of paying those exorbitant costs at the gas pump? Aren't you tired of spending billions of dollars to countries that turn around and use against us? Well, why don't we get smart and start creating our own energy? We have the sun, we have the wind, we can grow the product. We can turn what we have here in Texas into the energy of the future.

(END VIDEO CLIP) YELLIN: Senator Clinton speaking in El Paso, Texas. Today, she is in Wisconsin and I am in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I'm joined by my colleague, Mary Snow. I'm coming from a diner, Ma Fisher's diner. You're at a bowling alley. It's a rough day outside, Mary.

SNOW: It really is and we're seeking shelter inside. This is an unconventional campaign stop and so is the candidate who will be here, Mike Huckabee is expected to come by later today. His campaign says, he's still on schedule despite the weather.

And coming up after this very short break: We're going to be hearing from Mike Huckabee and Senator John McCain. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SNOW: Welcome back to CNN'S BALLOT BOWL: Where you can hear directly from the candidates on the campaign trail, sometimes live, sometimes on tape, always unfiltered. I'm Mary Snow in Milwaukee, keeping tabs of the Republican side of the presidential race. Senator John McCain has taken a bit of a break this weekend from the campaign trail, going back to his home state of Arizona. But when he gets back on the campaign trail tomorrow morning, he's expected to announce a major endorsement. That endorsement is expected to come from Former President George H. W. Bush. This is suspected to come in Houston, Texas. Senator John McCain had been in Wisconsin earlier this week -- last week that is, and in Virginia, back in Alexandria, before the Potomac primaries which he won, he talked to supporters about how he is the candidate to break the logjam in Washington, D.C. Let's go to Senator John McCain in his own words last week in Alexandria, Virginia.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The American people don't send us to Washington to serve our self interests but to serve theirs.

(APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: They don't send us to fight each other for our own political ambitions but to fight together our real enemies. They don't send us to Washington to stroke our egos, but to help them keep this beautiful, bountiful, blessed country: Free, safe, prosperous and proud.

(APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: And they don't -- they don't send us to Washington to take more of their money and waste it on things that add not an ounce to America's strength and prosperity; that don't help a single family realize the dreams we all dream for our children; that don't help a single displaced worker find a new job and the security and dignity that assures them; that won't keep the promise they make to young workers that the retirement they have begun to invest in them will be there for them when they need it. They don't send us to Washington to do their job but to do ours, to do it better, to do it better - (APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: -- to do it better and with less of their money. My friends, the work we face in our time is great but our opportunities are greater still. In a time of war, and the terrible sacrifices it entails, the promise of a better future is not always clear. But I promise you, my friends, we face no enemy, no matter how cruel and no challenge no matter how daunting, greater than the courage, patriotism and determination of Americans. My friends, we are the makers of history, not its victims.

(APPLAUSE)

CROWD CHANTING: John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain!

MCCAIN: Hope, my friends, hope powerful thing. I can attest to that better than many. For I've seen men's hope tested in hard and cruel ways that few will ever experience. And I stood astonished at the resilience of their hope in the darkest hours because it didn't reside in an exaggerated belief in their individual strength, but in the support of their comrades and their faith in our country. My hope -

(APPLAUSE)

MCCAIN: My hope for our country resides in our faith in the American character, the character which proudly defends the right to think and do for ourselves, but perceives self interest in accord with a kinship of ideals, which when called upon, Americans will defend with their very lives. To encourage a country with only rhetoric rather than sound and proven ideas: the trust and the strength and courage of free people, is not a promise of hope, it's a platitude.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: That was Senator John McCain speaking last week in Alexandria, Virginia. He swept the Potomac primaries last week, adding (ph) up his delegate count even further. Right now, according to our CNN tally: Senator John McCain has 830 delegates to Mike Huckabee's 217 -- 1,191 are needed to get the Republican presidential nomination. Now, Senator John McCain, although he was not out on the campaign trail this weekend, did pick up some more delegates. That's because Republicans in both Louisiana and Michigan met over this weekend. Republicans in Louisiana, you may remember in the primary, none of the candidates had gotten 50 percent. They were divvying up their candidates. So, we're still tallying the numbers. But "AP" puts it at 32 of 47 delegates going to Senator John McCain. Also in Michigan, where Mitt Romney won that state's primary, now, those delegates are being divvied up. Mitt Romney withdrew from the race. Of course, Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain last week, saying that he would not hold up his delegates as well. So, some (ph) delegates going to Senator John McCain as he edges closer to that 1,191 mark. He says though, he is not taking the Republican nomination for granted and he says, he respects Mike Huckabee's decision to stay in this race. Mike Huckabee says, it's important for him to stay in this race in order to provide a choice for conservatives in the Republican Party. He spoke in the Cayman Islands last night. This is a paid speech. He said that he is divided (ph) months ago and decided to keep his commitments, took a pause from the campaign trail. We have an excerpt from the leadership speech that he gave last night at an awards banquet. Here is Mike Huckabee in his own words in the Cayman Islands.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE HUCKABEE, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: The things that are in the past we really can't fix and go back and redo them. So, quit worrying about them. And the fact is, trying to fix everything in the moment in which we're in it is probably not realistic, but as life is going so fast, and some several (ph) forces of life is going to take control. But the one way a person can truly dare dream and get there is to see the curve ahead. People believe, recognize tonight, obviously have decided that they're not looking behind and they know that they're not just sitting around looking at where they are. They're daring to dream and there are serious curves ahead. And every single person that is getting honored tonight, all of them who get honored, the ones being (ph) called out in a significant way, bringing exceptional level of leadership and a quality to the life of this community that wouldn't happen had they not dared to dream and to see the curve ahead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SNOW: That was Mike Huckabee: The Republican presidential hopeful in the Cayman Islands. And later today, he is expected to trade in the tuxedo he was wearing last night perhaps for some bowling shoes because he is having a campaign event here at Olympic Lanes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His campaign is reserved about 20 some odd lanes for supporters. So, we'll be campaigning and doing a little bowling.

We have a lot more coming up, including a look at the Democratic side. We'll hear from Democratic candidates, plus, a closer look at the superdelegates in two states that may be left out at contest. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: I'm Jessica Yellin. Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL. We're coming to you from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the state is getting hit hard by a wintry mix of sleet and snow. It has derailed campaign plans for both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton. Our latest update is that Senator Clinton, who is headed on a plane to a campaign stop, had to turn around in midair and come on back to Wisconsin. Her folks on the plane were informed that they just couldn't land at her planned stop. So as we're told, Senator Clinton no more public campaign event for today. She'll be doing media interviews in town. Both she and Barack Obama plan to be out on the campaign trail here tomorrow and no doubt they're hope for better weather.

Meantime, her campaign staff has been busy both on phone calls with reporters and also on the morning shows. Her communications director Howard Wolfson appeared this morning and talked to CNN outside one morning show about this issue of Michigan and Florida. As you know, both Michigan and Florida voted. They voted for Senator Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side, but the candidates had agreed not to campaign there and the Democratic Party has said their delegate also not be seated at the convention.

Now the Clinton camp says they will ask those delegates to fight to get seated. They think the voice of the voters in Florida and Michigan will be heard.

Here's Howard Wolfson.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOWARD WOLFSON, CLINTON COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: You know, over two million people voted in Florida and Michigan, the largest turnout in the history of the Florida Democratic Party. We believe that people came out and voted. They expressed their preferences and those preferences ought to be honored at the convention. We are going to instruct and urge our delegates to vote for seating the Florida and Michigan delegations and we hope that's what happens. We think that people's Democratic views ought to be honored.

REPORTER: Is that a change?

WOLFSON: Not at all. We made a pledge with the candidates not to campaign in toes states. We didn't campaign in those states. Despite the fact that the candidates were not come paining in those states, more than two million people came out and voted, the largest turn out in the history of Florida Democratic Party. We believe those preferences ought to be honored. And we're hoping to do so at the convention.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: And the Senator -- Clinton's campaign has said they will wage this fight and push for the delegates to be seated before the convention. If it has to be at the convention, they're willing to face that as well.

Now, this is all an issue because Senator Clinton and Obama are incredibly close in the delegate count. Let's take a look. For Democrats to win a nomination they need a total of 2,025 pledged delegates. Currently, Senator Obama has 1,262. Senator Clinton has 1,213. Really not very far behind. John Edwards has 26 delegates still pledged to him before he suspended his campaign.

Now, the Clinton campaign adviser predicted neither Obama or Clinton will have that magic number before the convention. That's why seating Florida and Michigan delegates could be so crucial. That's why they are fighting over this issue of superdelegate it is and for every delegate in every state. It's also why Senator Edwards '26 delegates could be so meaningful.

And today we have news that Senator Obama has taken a private meeting with John Edwards and his wife. He flew to North Carolina to sit down with the Edwards' and just visit with them. John Edwards yet to endorse either candidate in this campaign, but both Clinton and Obama courting him, look for his support and hoping that his supporters in states that are yet to vote will break their way. A lot still in play on the Democratic side.

We'll bring you more. Also after this break, we'll bring you a check on that severe weather that's hitting so much of the nation. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN NEWS ANCHOR: Hello, from the CNN world head quarters in Atlanta. I'm Fredricka Whitfield. We'll get you right back to the "BALLOT BOWL" in a moment. Here is a look at the headlines first.

The Deep south in the grips of severe weather. A line of strong thunderstorms is moving through the region in Escambia County, Florida. A tornado touched down around noontime destroying several homes. Severe weather also causing problems in the Midwest, snowstorms had blanketed several states with dangerous freezing rain in the mix as well.

Jacqui Jeras is staying quite busy today.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLOGIST: Yeah, really active afternoon. Just incredible.

The good news, we've had no fatalities with the tornado. A couple of injuries, but it doesn't sound like they're serious hopefully near Montgomery, Alabama, the Lowndes area.

Let's show you where the watches are in effect because these are going to be the big area of concern. Parts of Alabama into the Florida Panhandle and then western and northern parts of Georgia. We do have several warnings in effect. It's really been focused and clustered around the state line. I know you fallow it up towards the Columbus area where we have most of the tornado warnings in play.

We do have a new one just issued for Marion County in west central Georgia. And public reported a possible tornado with the thunderstorm when it was over the county over in Russell County. There's the Atlanta metro area. Tornado warnings there have expired. That's good news but still a possibility to see redevelopment later on this evening.

Look at that, just intense red squall line. Some wind damage can be expected. These storms are also going to be producing hail, maybe half an inch to inch in diameter.

Now, on the north side of this system, we've been dealing with some heavy snow, freezing rain, wintry mix. There you can see the heaviest of snow into eastern parts of Wisconsin. Up towards Green Bay and kind of a few flurries around Madison.

Here's the big problem to go along with that. As if the winds are so strong, we're talking 30 to 40 miles per hour. So blizzard conditions in the south western parts of Wisconsin, making for extremely hazardous travel. Many airports have had cancellations across the Midwest and delays do go with it.

Best advice is don't travel today if you don't have to. If you do have flights, call your carrier to find out if your flight is going to be on time or running at all -- Fredricka?

WHITFIELD: Thanks so much, Jacqui.

What's 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 U.S. Agriculture Department. The move was announced today in the wake of animal cruelty charges against two former employees of Hallmark Meat Company of California. Federal officials suspended operations at a company slaughter house after undercover video showed crippled and sick animals being shoved along with pitch folks.

No sooner did Kosovo declare independence from Serbia today, then efforts began to block the move. Serbia immediately denounced the decision by the province's parliament and a Serb ally, Russia, requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Counsel. Moscow said an independent Kosovo could ignite Vulcan tensions and bolster separatist movements around the world. Kosovo has been administered by the U.N. since 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, FORMER NATO SUPREME ALLIED COMMANDER - 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 a peaceful country in the heart of Europe.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: The U.S. and E.U. is 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. An 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 target polling stations and 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 Musharraf. Analysts say if his party does poorly, opposition lawmakers may have a backing to move for impeachment. And this grisly discovery in Reno, Nevada triggers a search for a serial rapist. A body found Friday in a field has now been identified as missing college student Brianna Denison. Police say Denison was strangled by an unknown attacker linked to at least two sexual assaults last year.

And an arraignment hearing today for the man accused of killing a New York City therapist. 39-year-old David Tarloff is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Kathryn Foughey. She was brutally attack we'd a meat cleaver in her office Tuesday night. The judge ordered Tarloff to undergo a psychiatric exam before his next court appearance.

And it's the American dream turned American nightmare. More and more people losing their homes to foreclosure. Today at 6:00 eastern we will introduce you to people facing this problem.

Plus if you have a mortgage or credit question, e-mail us at weekend@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 CNN's "BALLOT BOWL '08," right after this.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to "BALLOT BOWL" coming to you from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the site of the next contest on Tuesday where both no, sir Clinton and Obama have been in this state campaigning hard.

Both were at an event yesterday talking in part about the war in Iraq, how the Bush administration has gone wrong on it and what they would do to fix it. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARACK OBAMA, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Americans are standing up all across the country to say not this time, not this year. The stakes are too high and the challenges are too great to play the same old Washington games with the same old Washington players and the same old lack of results. People want to turn the page. People want to write a new chapter in American history and that is what this election is all about.

Yes, you can.

Now, understand, this is not about me and it's not about Senator Clinton. As I said before, I have enormous respect for Senator Clinton as a person and as a public servant. She was my friend before this race started. She will be my friend after it's over. I did not get into the race to tear anybody down. I got into the race to lift this country up and to make sure the Democrats win in November. That is the goal of all of us, to deliver a better future for our children and grandchildren. Both Hillary and I are agree on one thing that John McCain apparently does not, the next president needs to end the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.

HILLARY CLINTON, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I know we are ready, we are long past ready. We are anxious to take back the White House. And on January 20, 2009, the next president of the United States will raise his or her hand and take the oath of office and then will immediately inherit the problems that will be left to us to solve by President Bush.

Now, we're here tonight to make sure that our next president is a Democrat because after seven long years of George W. Bush, seven years of incompetence, corruption, cronyism, seven years of this government of the few, by the few, and for the few, we have to bring change to America and put our country back on the right track.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

YELLIN: Senator Clinton and Obama with a preview of what their general election campaign arguments might be on the war in Iraq.

I am coming to you from Ma Fisher's Restaurant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

I'm going to toss it now to Mary Snow, my colleague who is coming from an even more unusual location. You can hear it, a bowling alley.

Mary, have you bowled at all today?

MARY SNOW, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: You know, I haven't. The rest of the crew has. But I'm a little embarrassed to bowl with them because they outshine me. We're getting some practice in later after this.

Of course, Mike Huckabee is expected here later today. That is the reason why we are hear in an unconventional setting for a campaign stop.

And while we keep tabs on the candidates on the campaign trail, Josh Levs keeps tab on them online. He's been checking out the candidates' websites. Always coming up with something interesting.

Josh, what are you turning up today?

JOSH LEVS, CNN BUSINESS ANALYST: Nothing compared to the turn around and bowl a little bit. Come on. No fair. We don't have any bowling alleys in here. I should get one of those.

Guys, all right. Here's the deal. I'm looking at all the campaign web sites. Part of what we try to do here is bring you what people get unfiltered. These are the messages that the candidates are getting out to people. Obviously, you see very often the messages the candidates get out to people when they're on the stump, also reaching millions on the Internet. We went to the websites of the four major candidates left in this race and looked at the top videos that they are offering people. We pulled out little clips of the top videos and we're going to show you that right now.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What is your rank in the army?

JOHN MCCAIN, (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Lieutenant commander in the Navy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And what is your official number?

MCCAIN: 624787.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AD NARRATOR: For every soldier who served so bravely over there but is ignored over here, she hears you. For every National Guard and Reservists who leaves their family behind, she hears you. That's why Hillary Clinton reached across the aisle, to expand access to health care for the National Guard.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MIKE HUCKABEE, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: When you grow up and life's a struggle, you have a whole different understanding of what most people are going through. We're losing manufacturing jobs, homeowners face a credit crisis, high fuel costs are spiraling and families are hurting. I cut taxes.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: We had many young people voting and senior citizens. That has never happened in the annuals of American history but it's happening in this election.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEVS: If you look at what you're seeing, there it's interesting how each message does a lot to summarize what the candidates are trying to put out there.

There are other videos you can look at on the candidates' websites. If you look at those specifically you see, Mary, a summary of the message that they're trying to put out, what they're trying to say. They're all using the power of video, viral video as well.

I've been following this closely. We see new videos sometimes literally every day on the major sites. We will keep following those. Future "BALLOT BOWL" bringing you them unfiltered as always.

SNOW: It's fascinating, Josh, to see the messages out there on the Internet. And as you said, they have so much power in this campaign cycle like never before.

And I'm just kind of curious. I don't know if you have the answer to this handy. But on average, how many people tune in to these messages every day online? Is there a count on how popular these websites are?

LEVS: I looked at some of the numbers sometimes because there are sites that do really good tracking. The really hot ones have gone up into the millions. The fan-supported video for Obama "yes we can" that everyone knows about. There are others I've seen cross around two million which is very high. Some aren't. Some are much more targeted and sometimes they top off in the hundreds of thousands. It depends on those.

The ones I picked out here in general are top videos on the sites, getting pretty good traffic. But in each case it depends on how long they've been there. We'll see maybe in another week if they all get into the millions.

SNOW: Josh Levs, thank you very much.

LEVS: Thank you, Mary. Have fun!

SNOW: I'll try. Right now, hard assignment but we take the whole "BALLOT BOWL" scene very seriously at the bowling lane, right?

We'll check in with you later.

We're going to take a quick break. When we come back we're going to have some final thoughts on the campaign trail. Stay with us. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to "BALLOT BOWL." I'm Jessica Yellin coming to you from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. With just a few seconds to go, I'm going talk to Mary snow and ask you, other than bowling today, what are you looking for from the GOP candidates ahead this week?

SNOW: Well, other than this big highlight, Jessica, tomorrow we're going to be watching Texas when Senator John McCain is expected to be joined by former president George H.W. Bush for his endorsement. And this is -- Senator John McCain really tries to reunite the party, touting former president Bush, is well respected in the Republican party, as he tries to cut a quell the rebellion among conservatives.

Then on Tuesday we'll see the Wisconsin primary, take particular note of how Mike Huckabee fairs. The question keeps coming, how long will he stay in this race? He is vowing to stay in for weeks. And particularly target Texas. But those are the next two big events on each side. And Jessica, how about you on the Democratic side?

YELLIN: From the Democrats, we'll watch Senators Clinton and Obama try to keep one eye on Ohio and Texas, while Senator Clinton here in Wisconsin tries to draw the blue-collar workers and peel away women from Alabama, particularly the college educated well, see if she can woo them to her ticket.

Barack Obama will focus on independents and Republicans and young voters in particular to see if he can get them. Of course, any John Edwards' endorsement. We'll keep our ear to the ground on that.

That's what we're looking for, Mary. Back to you.

SNOW: All right. A lot ahead this week. Thank you so much for joining us on this "BALLOT BOWL."

Next "BALLOT BOWL" comes tomorrow at 12:00 noon on CNN eastern. And stay tuned. "CNN NEWSROOM" is next. They will have the very latest on the severe weather around the country, right after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxantshop.com