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Wyoming Caucuses; Possible Democratic Do-Overs

Aired March 08, 2008 - 15:00   ET

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

YELLIN: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL '08, this is where you can hear from the candidates, unfiltered, in their own words. We'll continue to follow comments from Senators Clinton and Obama, and bring you the latest news on the Democrats and on John McCain throughout the afternoon.
I'm joining you from a caucus site in Wyoming. I am in Cheyenne, Wyoming where Laramy County is caucusing. 1,500 people turned out today. We'll tell you more in a moment. I am joined though right now by Jim Acosta who is on the other side of the country over in Philadelphia the site of the next big showdown in this race.

ACOSTA: That's right, Jessica. The Pennsylvania primary. Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have circled April 22nd on their calendars they're gunning for voters in this state in anticipation of that very important contest. We want to note to our viewers that we will be keeping tabs on the results in Wyoming throughout the day. Our viewers can just check the bottom of the screen to watch those results coming in. In real-time. To keep tabs on where those 12 delegates that are at stake may be going in this contest.

Besides Wyoming we'll be looking at two other states today that quite frankly have already had their say. But may have their say one more time, Florida and Michigan. We're talking about the potential for do-overs there or second try-maries if you will. And just what is stake if the delegates are seated coming up later on in BALLOT BOWL.

But we also throughout the afternoon will be taking a look at the Hillary Clinton campaign. Bill Clinton has been out on the stump on behalf of his wife. So we'll be going to some sound from the former president as well. And in the meantime I will throw it back to my colleague, Jessica Yellin who is out there in Wyoming. Live from a caucus site in Jackson Hole?

YELLIN: No, Jackson Hole wouldn't be bad for a vacation. We are at a caucus site where they are just announcing the results of the first round, 1,500 people caucused. And let's listen to what they have to say quickly.

(UNIDENTIFIED MALE): This is Mr. Ballenshine. Are you ready for our results? I will put you down on the podium. They're my voters. We'll make sure you understand. Are you ready? We have 1,532 total votes cast this morning. Of those, Senator Clinton received 588 votes. Senator Obama received 940 votes. There were no votes cast for Senator Edward, or other. It was pretty clear on that. Percentage, 61 percent for Senator Obama, 38 percent for Senator Clinton. The breakdown on delegate allocation is as follows. Senator Clinton will be awarded 21 delegates for the state convention. Senator Obama will be awarded 33 delegates for the state convention. So from this point I am going to turn it over to Chairwoman Lance who will now instruct you how the delegate allocation will work. Did you get that, 1,532 total votes, 588 for Senator Clinton, 940 for Senator Obama. We had four disqualified. So that is 38 percent for Senator Clinton, 61 percent for Senator Obama, 21 for Clinton, 33 for Obama. Yeah.

LANCE: OK, we'll move forward with our caucus process now that we have numbers. Basically what is going to happen now? We will break into groups of, we're going to do, Obama on this side of the arena. And we are going to do Clinton on this side of the arena. So if we can sort of have a split here right down the middle. And try to gather closer to each of these two sides. I'll give you a minute to do that and then I will continue explaining. Obama here. This way. You are going the right way. Clinton.

YELLIN: So what is happening now is these folks are going to elect their representatives to the convention here in Wyoming. The numbers of delegates you heard them count, 21 for Clinton. 43, I believe she said for Obama. Those are not the number of delegates that each candidate will get to send to the national convention in Denver. No. What that is is the number of local delegates that each party will get to send, that each candidate will be able to send to the state's convention which happens I believe in June. So it is a multi step process.

And folks are going to now pair off and elect basically regular citizens, their neighbors, their friends. People they just met here, somebody to be that representative, to go to the state convention. And then vote for either Clinton or Obama, whichever side they're on at that state convention.

So I'll remind you that 12 delegates, pledged delegates at stake today for Clinton and Obama. We have yet to learn how many will be allocated to each. Jim, interesting to see the caucus in action. I will tell you most of the folks here have never done this before. I have certainly never seen this before. It's interesting to watch it all go down.

ACOSTA: Yeah, looks like bingo night at the church. Sometimes to see all the folks in their room, going over this type of stuff. But I am just curious, Jessica, will we find out a winner tonight of the Wyoming caucuses? Will there be a winner declared and delegates divvied up?

YELLIN: There will be a total -- I think they declare a total number of supports. So Obama gets this much. percentage. Clinton gets this much percentage. Then we have to go to a figure out how many delegates that is allocated to. Depends how quickly they can count. How quickly we can count based on their results. There is not that sort of formal process we see in a primary where it is very cut and dry. It is tougher in a caucus. We will have a clear, better sense this evening. ACOSTA: Got you. Thank you, Jessica Yellin out there in Wyoming. It will be interesting to see what happens tonight. If Barack Obama can take Wyoming. While it is a small race perhaps that along with, if he can do well in Mississippi might put together a little bit of momentum for the Illinois senator coming out of a disappointing night in Ohio and Texas from earlier this past week.

As for the victor of those contests in Ohio and Texas, Hillary Clinton who is on a roll after beating the odds and beating a lot of expectations in, those contests last Tuesday. She was -- on, she was out on the campaign trail in Washington, D.C. this past week. Flanked by military supporters who are backing her campaign. She was out there, talking about this issue of experience. Going back to the 3:00 a.m. who would be the most qualified commander-in-chief to answer the emergency wake-up call at 3:00 in the morning.

She said during that speech in Washington earlier this week that both she and Senator John McCain have that experience. But she questioned whether or not Barack Obama has that kind of experience. So without further adieu, here is Hillary Clinton on the issue of experience in matters of national security.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I am also grateful that I have my own experience to draw on. I have been fortunate enough to be on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. To have the great privilege of representing our country in more than 80 other countries including of course, Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East. Just earlier today I had a conversation with King Abdullah of Jordan about the situation that he and other leaders in the Middle East face today.

I am very appreciative of the confidence that the leaders around in this table and others have placed in me. And some may believe that experience doesn't matter or even in today's world is a liability. But as generals and admirals, ambassadors and other senior leaders charged our security know, experience doesn't just count for something. Often when lives are on the line and a decision must be made, experience counts for everything.

In this election, we need a nominee who can pass the commander- in-chief test. Someone ready on day one to defend our country, and keep our families safe. We need a president who passes that test. Because the first and most solemn duty of the president of the United States is to protect and defend our nation. And when there is a crisis, when that phone rings, whether its 3:00 p.m. or 3:00 a.m., in the White House, there is no time for speeches and on the job training.

Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign. I will bring a lifetime of experience. And Senator Obama will bring a speech that he gave in 2002. I think that is a significant difference. I think that since we now know Senator McCain will be the nominee for the Republican Party, national security will be front and center in this election. We all know that. And I think it is imperative that each of us be able to demonstrate. We can cross the commander-in-chief threshold. And I believe that I have done that. Certainly Senator McCain has done that. And you will have to ask Senator Obama with respect to his candidacy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: So there you have it. Tough talk from Hillary Clinton on the issue of national security experience. Saying that she and Senator John McCain have the experience to be president, but questioning whether or not Barack Obama has the experience to be commander-in- chief. After she gave that speech, a lot of Democrats privately grumbled that that just gave ammunition to the McCain campaign should Obama become the nominee. Something that they could put in an ad as the race heads to November.

But Barack Obama who came out of the contest in Ohio and Texas essentially saying that he made some mistakes and had not responded forcefully enough to some of the attacks coming out of the Hillary Clinton campaign saying to reporters on his campaign plane leaving San Antonio for Chicago, that he does plan on sharpening his knives as it relates to debating Senator Clinton on the issues and particularly, the issue of national security experience.

And he took aim at her years in the White House, questioning whether or not one's experience as first lady translates, translates to experience as a commander-in-chief. Here's Barack Obama.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SENATOR BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: She has been making that same argument for the last 13 months. And since I have -- you know, the American people have rejected it because I think they recognize I have got 20 years of experience in bringing about change. It wasn't just one speech, it's been a consist opposition to the war in Iraq. It's been my judgment on issues like Pakistan and Iran that I think have been superior to hers.

And that's -- that's why we think we will continue to do well. And one of the things I hope people start asking is -- what exactly is this experience she is claiming? I know she talks about visiting 80 countries. It's not clear was she negotiating treaties or agreements or was she handling crises during this period of time? My sense is the answer is no. So, you know, I have not seen any evidence that she is better equipped to handle a crisis. And the only criteria is longevity in Washington, then, she certainly is not going beat John McCain on that.

There is no doubt Senator Clinton went very negative over the last week. And you know, the kitchen sink strategy, I'm sure had some impact, particularly in a context where many of you in the press corps had been persuaded that you have been too hard on her and too soft on me. So, complaining about the rest, apparently worked a little bit this week. And so, in addition to my call to Loren Michaels, hopefully now people feel everything is evened out and we can actually start covering the campaign properly. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: So there is Barack Obama talking about that criticism that was leveled at him by Hillary Clinton on the issue of national security experience. You noted there at the end a little jab at "Saturday Night Live" and the media for what he thinks is a hook, line and sinker swallowing of what is coming out of the Hillary Clinton campaign over the last couple weeks that the media are basically covering Barack Obama not as critically as they are the junior senator from New York. We'll see how that debate plays out over the coming days.

Coming up after the break here on BALLOT BOWL on CNN, the bigger issue for the voters and viewers out there, the economy. John McCain talking about that after the break. This is BALLOT BOWL on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ACOSTA: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL '08, I am Jim Acosta in Philadelphia. We want to turn to the subject of the economy. A tough week when it comes to economic news. There were those unemployment figures that came out on Friday. News about rising oil prices, steep declines in the stock market and more trouble in the housing market against that backdrop, John McCain, Republican nominee was down in Atlanta, earlier this week, talking about the economy. It is an issue that he has conceded to reporters from time to time he doesn't know as much about as he would like. But he is planning and says he is promising to fix the nation's troubled economy should he be elected president. Here is John McCain, addressing supporters down in Georgia this week, talking about the economy.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM ACOSTA, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our economy is not in the condition we want it to be. Let's have some straight talk. We've had some difficulties. There are thousand of people who are in danger of losing their homes or have already lost their homes. There are people who are in danger of losing their jobs. Today, unemployment figures are not good. They're not terrible. But they're not good. The unemployment rate did not go up, but there is, there has not been jobs created that we want in America.

All of us, all of us know that it is our job as a nation to reach out and to help people who are in difficulty as they are in today. I campaigned a lot in the state of Ohio as you know we had that -- the primary there last Tuesday night. And times are tough. Because they've lost a lot of manufacturing jobs and so, we're going to have to fix it. But I want to assure you that the one thing I do not believe is the way to fix it is to raise your taxes. I think that is the last thing that we should do. The last thing we should do. Is raise your taxes and increase regulation and try to impose big government solutions to it.

My friend, we have to make the present tax cuts permanent. It's very important. Otherwise in a year or so from now you will be planning on tax increases on your businesses and on your families. And that's not -- that could be, have the worst effect. We also need to eliminate a thing called the alternate minimum tax. Most Americans don't even know what the alternate minimum tax is. It is in danger. A tax designed for the wealthiest Americans. Now because of inflation it endangers 25 million American families. I think, he'll tell you a lot of Americans don't know we have the second highest corporate tax rate in the world. In the world.

Only Japan has higher tax rates than the United States of America. So what do corporations do many times, they decide to leave the United States and take their corporations with them to countries where there is lower taxes. And they take jobs and business with them. So we have to lower that tax rate. I guess my fundamental point here is we need to -- there is a role for government -- there is a role for government -- it's not hands on.

But that role of government is to reduce taxes, reduce regulation, and make sure there is a level playing field for every American. Provide an education and training for displaced workers. My friends, there are thousand and thousands and thousands and thousands of workers who have lost their jobs as jobs has gone overseas. We know that. We know that. And many people find themselves at the end of their productive life.

We should go to our community colleges and have them design and implement job training and education programs. The government programs don't work. There is half a dozen programs, federal programs designed to care for displaced workers. They don't work. They don't, they're not, they don't work. They were designed for the 1950s when there would be an economic downturn, somebody would be out of a job, the old economy comes back up. The person gets their job back. The old jobs aren't coming back. It's the new jobs.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: There is John McCain talking about the economy. Promising his supporters not to raise taxes should he become president. Coming up after the break on BALLOT BOWL here on CNN, we'll go back to my colleague Jessica Yellin who is keeping tabs on the Wyoming caucuses out in Cheyenne.

And we will also look at the news happening, down to Atlanta; hear the latest on the big snowstorm hitting Ohio at this point. Stick with us, more to come. This is BALLOT BOWL on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ELAM: I'm Stephanie Elam live at CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. More BALLOT BOWL in a moment.

First here are the top stories this hour. New developments in the killing of UNC Chapel Hill student Eve Carson. Police say this man in the surveillance video is now a person of interest in the case. He was spotted at an ATM perhaps trying to access the victim's account. Police add he may also be in the victim's car.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CHIEF BRIAN CURRAN, CHAPEL HILL POLICE: Description of the vehicle is as follows, a blue 2005 Toyota Highlander with Georgia plate, aiv-6690. This investigation is ongoing. The police department, we're seeking leads and continuing to urge anyone with information about this crime to call the Chapel Hill Police department at area code 919-968-2760 or crimestoppers at 919-942-7515.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ELAM: This just coming in to the CNN newsroom. Video from our affiliate WRVL in Columbus, Georgia, this is the suspect arrested in the murder of Auburn University student Lauren Burke. He is 23-year- old Courtney Lockheart. Investigators say Lockheart was picked up last night by Phoenix City, Alabama. Facing a litany of charges including capital murder, kidnapping and attempted rape.

Parts of Tennessee and Kentucky are trying to dig out from about a foot of snow. The winter blast part of a violent storm system that blew through the south yesterday spawning deadly tornadoes in Florida. The storm created blizzard conditions in Ohio today. Heavy snowfall and winds of 35 miles an hour are making driving conditions treacherous in some spots. The state could get several more inches of snow before it is all over.

CNNs Susan Roesgen knows all about it, she has been in the thick of it in snowbound Cincinnati. What's the latest going on out there, Ms. Roesgen?

SUSAN ROESGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Most of the snow tapered off. Doesn't mean it won't be back in the next hour, Stephanie. I met a bride in a local hotel here getting married today. She said she never dreamed when she chose this date, a year ago, that on March 8, 2008, Cincinnati would be having its worst winter storm in ten years. She is worried about people being able to make it to her wedding. With good reason.

Thousands of people have been stranded here trying to get in or out. All three of the major airports in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland, have been struggling to get flights off the ground, lots of canceled flights, delayed flights. And the driving is even worse. So dangerous in some areas that the police are telling people that they will be arrested if they are out on the road without good reason.

Several people injured in car crashes at least one person killed. All of this and in this late winter storm, Stephanie, two weeks before Easter who would have believed it.

ELAM: I know. Really late. Back to the bride. I mean, is she still getting married, hopefully found the love of her life, where are they going to go on a honeymoon, some where warm?

ROESGEN: If she can get out, yes. She will go to Cancun and has the right idea. After this in Cincinnati. If that bride and her new groom can get out of here I hope they have a great time in Cancun. Wish I were too Stephanie.

ELAM: Definitely need a couple umbrellas in their drinks they deserve it. Susan Roesgen there for us in Cincinnati.

All right. A real mixed bag weather wise. Rain and snow in the eastern U.S. as the nation springs forward later on. CNN meteorologist Jacqui Jeras in the Severe Weather Center, what is the latest? We are getting crazy weather across the country.

JACQUI JERAS, CNN METEOROLIGIST: The entire nation said me too when you said that going to Cancun. A lot of winter-weary people. It looks like the rest of today and through tonight is going to be really nasty. And even into Sunday, particularly across the northeast. But by Sunday afternoon into your Monday things are going to be looking a lot better here. So at least we had a little bit of good news to tell you there.

(NEWSBREAK)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

JIM ACOSTA, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL '08, where the political season goes on. I'm Jim Acosta in Philadelphia, in the Keystone State. The Keystone State could hold the keys to the nomination. Both candidates, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are getting ready to do battle in this state in advance of the primary here coming up on April 22.

But, there are a couple of other states that we need to talk about right now and it's not the state holding caucuses today, Wyoming. We're talking about the states of Florida and Michigan. Those states, you might say have already had their voices heard, but because of essentially a controversy that is now going on within the Democratic Party, those states are now talking about holding do-overs, holding their primaries again, perhaps in the form of a caucus, perhaps in the form of a primary. Those details have not been worked out yet. But essentially, to give you background of the states moved up their primaries against the wishes of the Democratic Party, I should say, and the Democratic Party essentially penalized those states and made their delegates ineligible, disqualified those delegates when those primaries were held earlier this year.

Here's Joe Johns with a look at just what might be at stake should the states, Florida and Michigan, hold do-overs to help settle this race for the Democratic nomination.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOE JOHNS, CNN NEWS CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Hard to believe, but it's true. Real votes could be erased in what looks like a standoff over party rules.

SEN BILL NELSON (D), FLORIDA: We've got a major train wreck.

JOHNS: So, keeping them honest -- what went wrong? Rewind to last year, May 2007. Florida's Republican controlled legislature moves up the date of the state primary. Florida wants to go early to have a bigger impact. August -- the national Democrating party punishes Florida for busting in line by taking away the state's delegates, making the primary meaningless.

(on camera): Remember, Democratic Party rules said only four states could hold contests before February 5: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada. At the time, several other states were threatening to move their primaries up. It was a recipe for chaos.

(voice over): But, it did not end with Florida. September -- Michigan follows Florida's lead and moves its primary date up. The party punishes Michigan the same way, erasing its delegates. October -- Barack Obama and four other Democrats take their names off the Michigan ballot. Hillary Clinton leaves her name on.

January 15, 2008 -- the Michigan primary. Hillary Clinton wins easily over three second tier rivals. January 29th, Florida votes. Clinton wins again. There's a record turnout even though people are told their votes won't matter.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Angry. Very angry.

JOHNS: And now both Florida and Michigan say they want the votes and their delegates to count.

GOV CHARLIE CRIST (R), FLORIDA: And it is reprehensible anyone would seek to silence the voices.

GOV JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: : Our preference is not to have to storm the bastilles, but we will if we have to.

JOHNS: Democratic Party chairman Howard Dean says if the states can come up with a plan to fix the problem, he'll listen. But rules are rules.

GOV HOWARD DEAN, DNC CHAIRMAN: You cannot violate the rules in the process and then expect to get forgiven for it.

JOHNS: The warning from worried Democrats: find a fix now or that voter anger could tip both states to John McCain in November.

Joe Johns, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ACOSTA: So, there is Joe Johns talking about what could be a second trimary, if you want to call it that, for Florida and Michigan.

We want to switch gears to a controversy that has reemerged for the Obama campaign. A congressman from Ohio by the name of, Steve King, a Republican from Iowa, took to the airwaves and was being interviewed by a local newspaper in Iowa in which he essentially said that Barack Obama's middle name of Hussein should be a campaign issue, saying to a local newspaper in Iowa, that should Barack Obama win the presidency, al Qaeda will be dancing in the streets. Here's that congressman's comments.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) KING: When you think about the optics of a Barack Obama potentially getting elected president of the United States and I mean, what does it look like to the rest of the world? What does it look like to the world of Islam? I will tell you if he is elected president, and the radical Islamists, the al Qaeda and radical Islamists and their supporters will be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11because they will declare victory in this "war on terrorism."

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: Now, CNN did reach out to Congressman King's office for a comment, and Congressman King told our Washington bureau that he stands by those comments and we also have a response from the Barack Obama campaign. One of his campaign spokespersons reached out to CNN to say these "comments have no place in our politics" and he hope Senator McCain, talking about John McCain, will repudiate them like he had previous offensive comments from his supporter, that Barack Obama spokesman referring to comments made by conservative talk radio host, Bill Cunningham, back in -- not Iowa, in Ohio, couple weeks ago, in which Barack Hussein Obama was said repeatedly during some warm-up comments that Bill Cunningham gave before a John McCain speech. And John McCain later said he wanted nothing to do with that.

And I want to turn it back over to my colleague, Jessica Yellin, who is monitoring developments out in Wyoming watching those caucus results coming in.

And Jessica, I just have to ask you, because this has come up again, it seemed as if the Obama campaign sort of moved on after this issue of his middle name popped up with Bill Cunningham and here we see another Republican, a congressman from Iowa, bringing it up again with some very, very controversial heated comments that are obviously not going to do John McCain a whole lot of good.

YELLIN: Well, Obama actually addresses this frequently on the stump saying he's not unfamiliar with getting teased for his name, for his lineage, for his many various qualities that have made him unique in various circumstances when he was growing up in Hawaii, et cetera. So, he talks about this frequently.

The Obama campaign, as you said before, seems to be at a certain point where they are trying to decide how hard they hit back or recalibrating how hard they hit back to these various issues. This one, coming out as it did on a Saturday, you know, they've hit back in this way, saying, you reported it, and it seems to be trying to move on. But it is an issue they continue to have to deal with.

Let me turn for a moment, if I may, to what's going on in the room right here. I am at the site of the Laramie County caucus in Wyoming. This is the largest caucus district in the state, and they just reported their results. Out of -- I'll tell you first, 1,532 caucus-goers showed up. Now, as a measure of the enthusiasm, in 2004 last time they held a caucus for presidential race, only 160 turned up. And again, 160, four years ago, more than 1,500 this year, now of the votes, 588 caucus for Senator Clinton, 940 caucus for Barack Obama. So, the results show that 61 percent went to Obama, 38 percent to Senator Clinton. That's only at this one caucus site. So, that's not a reflection of statewide results. That's here.

What they're doing now is one of the complicated aspects of caucusing. Folks have divided up into who they support: Clinton or Obama. They've gone to separate sides of the room. And now they are going to vote, here's a Clinton ballot and they're going to vote for their delegates to the state convention, either Clinton or Obama. And they have to elect an equal number for each side of men and women. This is a state with a real history of egalitarianism, you know, the first state to have women suffrage, and first state to elect a woman governor and so they're making sure they have equal representation.

Those delegates get elected here and then they go to a state convention, at the state convention, they officially volt for the pledged delegate from this state. So, at the end of today we will have a very clear sense how many of these 12 delegates, statewide delegates, go to Obama, how many will go to Clinton. But, it won't formally be done until their actual state convention, which is in Memorial Day weekend.

It's rather convoluted, but there you have it. And so we are going to stay with the folks until they finish this process. It wraps up around 2:00 Local and then we'll be able to watch these results throughout the state as more results from other caucus sites roll in and ultimately give you a result of the Wyoming caucuses, overall later on this evening -- Jim.

ACOSTA: Jessica, that's not a Texas two-step, that is a ho-down, that's a full blown ho-down out there in Wyoming. I have to say when I hear you talk about this, I'm reminded that I'm standing in front of Independence Hall, where the founding fathers didn't exactly put the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution out for popular vote. So, we have to keep in mind that sometimes our Democracy looks awfully peculiar when it's put under the microscope or under the TV lights, as it were, as you are doing, out there in Wyoming. But it's very interesting.

And I just wonder if Barack Obama could possibly come out of Wyoming with some kind of victory here and then go into Mississippi where he is favored to win at least, I don't want to say take this race back from Hillary Clinton's hands, but essentially, at least offer the appearance that momentum, perhaps, has shifted back to him. How do you feel about that?

YELLIN: Well, he is fighting expectations, because there is a sense, you know, to the extent, that media coverage and punditry influence these things, there is a sense that he's favored to win Wyoming and Mississippi. So, who knows how that factors in to the perception of momentum.

Senator Clinton, I should note, competed hard here. You know, she's been criticized for failing to really devote resources to caucus states and she sent her daughter here, her husband, she spent some time here, as well. So, she has fought to make sure she gets a good number, at least some of the delegates tonight, and even if she doesn't necessarily win, of course we'll wait and see.

So Obama, you know, he'll come out of Wyoming, if he's a head, here, ho on to Mississippi. If he can win that, it certainly keeps the momentum going. And they each have their own way to sort of spin this from there. She can cite, you know, their big state advantage. He can cite the number of states, the number of votes he's gotten and then it really will come down to how they campaign in Pennsylvania and in the next states and how they work out this sort of real back-and- forth between them. If Barack Obama finds a way to deliver a message that both hits back at Senator Clinton, but maintains his message that he's a politician representing a new kind of politics. A tricky line to walk, but something that, obviously, Obama is striving to do. And the Clinton campaign feeling very heartened right now, they seem to feel in their comfort zone and planning to keep on as they are with their combination of emphasizing commander-in-chief, her ability with the economy, and also hitting hard on Barack Obama -- Jim.

ACOSTA: Fascinating stuff, Jessica. And yes, a tricky game for Barack Obama, almost as tricky as what is happening in Wyoming today. And Jessica, coming up after the break on BALLOT BOWL, here on CNN, something I think you're going to enjoy. One of our young iReporters out there, he's just 10 years old, but he's managed to talk to some of the presidential candidates about the crucial issue of the environment. You'll hear from him coming up after the break. This is BALLOT BOWL on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ACOSTA: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL. I'm Jim Acosta in Philadelphia, and the city of Brotherly Love and one of the things we love here at CNN is our iReporters and if you are not familiar with the concept, here it is. Essentially, it's a chance for you, the viewers, out there in the real world when you come across breaking news or news as it is happening, just pull out that video camera, pull out that cell phone camera and go ahead and record the news yourself and you can send it to us here at CNN.

And we want to bring you this story now of a young iReporter out there, his name is Jonathan Lee, he's 10 years old from the state of Mississippi. And Jonathan went out, young Jonathan went out to talk to the candidates: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John McCain, about the crucial issue of the environment. And he brings his own unique take to this story as only a 10-year-old can, one that I can't necessarily bring to a story on the environment. So without further adieu, here is our young iReporter, Jonathan Lee, talking to the candidates about the environment.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JONATHAN LEE, GOGREEN MAN: Hi, I'm Jonathan, the creator of GoGreen Man. And I have interviewed all of the presidential candidates to see how green they are and how nice they are to children.

First, John McCain. The John McCain staff let me on their bus to look around and it was really crowded. At home, do you recycle?

JOHN MCCAIN (R), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Yes, yes we recycle, yes.

LEE: Do you have anything to say to the children at home about the environment?

MCCAIN: I say recycle. Do everything you can to reduce greenhouse gasses.

LEE: He was really funny, especially when he made that funny face. Niceness to children: nine. Greenness: eight.

Hillary Clinton.

Do you recycle in your home?

CLINTON: Yes, we do.

LEE: And do you have anything to say to the children at home about the environment?

CLINTON: Well, I think it's very important that everybody take responsibility to try to help the environment. So, that means don't litter. It means to recycle. It means to tell your mommy and daddy to get compact fluorescent bulbs in the house. It means to keep the doors and windows kind of shut, so you don't let the heat and the cold out. And just generally do what you can, even if you're a student there are things you can do.

LEE: She was very kind. Niceness: nine. Greenness: eight.

Barack Obama, he was really nice and he was also really busy, so I got to interview his wife, Michele Obama instead.

What do you say to the children at home about the environment?

MICHELLE OBAMA, BARACK OBAMA'S WIFE: You know, the environment is really important. We got to all do our part. I know my daughters are telling us to turn the water off and close the refrigerator. Se we're going to have to make sacrifices. And all young kids should work on their parents and their families.

Niceness: eight. Greenness: nine.

It's been a wonderful experience for me. I hope you pick the right presidential candidate and that's been the most ecofriendly and kindness to children. These points are just my opinion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ACOSTA: And of course, we appreciate that disclaimer from Jonathan at the end of his piece there, that those ratings for different candidates are his opinion and his alone and not necessarily those of CNN. But we want to thank Jonathan for offering that unique take on the campaign. And I just heard in my ear a few moments ago that actually he'll be taking my place here next week for BALLOT BOWL. So, Jonathan, no, actually, we did hear from his family earlier today. We hoped to have him on, but he is feeling under the weather. So Jonathan, get well. And keep those iReports coming. We'd like to see more from you and your unique take on campaign '08.

Coming up after the break on BALLOT BOWL on CNN, we'll send it out to Jessica Yellin who has her own scorecard for the candidates and we'll be checking in with her. This is BALLOT BOWL on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. This is where you get the news on the candidates unfiltered, unedited in their own words, so you can make your own judgments about them. Today I am coming to you live from Wyoming, the site of the latest caucuses. Many of the state's caucuses have already been completed and we're beginning to get results. We'll give them to you in just a few moments. But for right now I'm going to throw it to my co-anchor, Jim Acosta who's at the site of the next big primary battle or one of the big primary battles coming up in Philadelphia -- Jim.

ACOSTA: That's right, Jessica, it's not the big enchilada, it's the big Philly cheesesteak, as it were. The Pennsylvania primary coming up on April 22 and even though it is more than a month away, the two candidates on the Democratic side are definitely going to be gunning hard for all of the votes in this state. But we want to get our viewers up to speed with the game plan for next hour. In addition to checking in on Jessica in Wyoming, to track just how the caucuses are developing out there in Cheyenne and those 12 delegates that are up for grabs in Wyoming. We also want to look at the race in cyberspace, how the campaigns are clicking with voters online. And so, we'll have more on that coming up in just a moment.

And also, former president Bill Clinton is out on the stump, he is campaigning for his wife, the former first lady, and the junior senator from New York. Hillary Clinton is having a down weekend. Bill Clinton is now and we'll be taking a look at the former president out on the campaign trail at the day develops.

But in the meantime, I'll toss it back to Jessica in Wyoming. And Jessica, as you were explaining earlier on BALLOT BOWL, not the Texas two-step, something perhaps more complicated, if that's possible.

YELLIN: I don't know what you'd call this dance, but it is very convoluted.

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