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Ballot Bowl 2008

Covering the Remaining Candidates as They Prepare for Tuesday's Showdown

Aired April 19, 2008 - 14:00   ET

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

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I believe that Philadelphia and Pennsylvania are going to lead us to victory on Tuesday.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We will not just win Pennsylvania, we will win this nomination, we will the general election.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The long wait is almost over. Pennsylvania democrats are said to flock to the polls for the first significant nominating contest in more than six weeks. For the next four hours, CNN brings you BALLOT BOWL. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama unfiltered in their final sprint toward the crucial Pennsylvania primary. I'm Jessica Yellin here in New York City and I'm joined by Suzanne Malveaux who is in Pennsylvania. Hi Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hey Jessica, we're in Paoli, Pennsylvania. This is really one of the whistle stops, one of the stops that the tour that Barack Obama is taking throughout Pennsylvania. I want our listeners to actually take a listen here, Barack Obama just beginning to speak moments ago.

OBAMA: The American people understand that we can't afford to wait. We can't wait to fix our schools, we can't wait to fix our train stations, we can't wait to provide health care to every American. We can't wait to bring back good jobs and good wages. We can't wait to bring this war in Iraq to a close. We cannot wait. We can't wait. But what the American people also understand, and that's why this election is so important is that it's not just for us to change political parties in the White House, we're going to have to change how politics is done. We've got to change how Washington works. Now, that starts with the current administration and one reason people have been so excited about this election is they know that no matter what else happens when they go to the polling place in November the name George W. Bush won't be on the ballot and that has everybody excited. The name of my cousin, Dick Cheney, will not be on the ballot. That was really embarrassing when we found out what we found out. I haven't gone on a family hunting party with him yet. Somebody said, don't claim him.

But, look, that means that we won't have warrantless wiretaps. We don't have to have Katrina-type incompetence. We don't have to have Scooter Libby justice in the next administration. But understand that we do have to guard against a continuation of George Bush policies. I respect John McCain. He is a genuine American hero. He has served our country with distinction. But John McCain wants to continue the same policies that led us into Iraq. He has in fact said he doesn't mind the presence of troops there for up to 100 years. That's not the kind of change that the American people are looking for right now. That's not the kind of change we can afford, a war without an exit strategy. John McCain just this week said he thought that the seven years of Bush economic policies had brought great progress. I don't think he was talking to the 8,300 Pennsylvanians who've lost their job this year alone or the 232,000 who have lost their jobs across the country since January. Or the 47 million people without health insurance or the children who've increased in terms of numbers who are in poverty. I don't think he's talked to the average working family in America. We've just gone through the first expansion since World War II in which average family incomes actually went down $1,000 during an expansion. We don't know what is going to happen now that we are in recession. And he certainly hasn't been talking to the millions of people who are at risk of losing their homes now because nobody was providing oversight in terms of the mortgage lending crisis that's been going on. So we can't afford another Bush term and that's what John McCain is running for. That's why no matter how divided democrats might be right now just understand we will be united because we know we have to be the party of tomorrow, not the party of yesterday. We have to look forward not backwards and we will beat John McCain in November. You can take that to the bank.

But Paoli, understand this that the problems that we're facing extend beyond just one party or one man. You know, we are going to have to also change ourselves. We in the Democratic Party are going to have to recognize that we have been talking about a lot of these problems for a long time through democratic and republican administrations. Think about how long we have been talking about health care reform. For decades now through democratic and republican administrations nothing changes. Why is that? Part of it is because drug companies and insurance companies spent $1 billion over the last decade in lobbying and campaign contributions to prevent change from happening. It is the drug and insurance companies that have been writing our health care laws instead of your representatives who are supposed to be looking out for you. Same is true on energy. Look, we have been talking about the energy crisis since before about half of this crowd was born. I mean, I was 8, 10 years old when OPEC formed and we had gas lines and yet the only thing that has changed is Exxon Mobil made $11 billion in profits last quarter and you are paying $3.50, $3.75 at the pump. Why is that? Well it turns out that well when Dick Cheney when he was in charge of energy policy he met with the environmental groups once, he met with the renewable energy groups once, he met with the oil and gas companies 40 times. So is it any wonder that we have seen laws that have been very good for Exxon Mobil but not so good for you?

So we are going to have to change how business is done in Washington. We have to reduce the influence of lobbyists. We have to reduce the special interests who are dominating the agenda. That is a very real difference that I have with Senator Clinton. We are going to be unified in November, but right now there is a choice to be made because Senator Clinton's essential argument in this campaign is that you can't change how the game is played in Washington. Her basic argument is that the slash and burn, say anything, do anything, special interest driven politics is how it works. And so she's taken more money from PECS and lobbyists than any other candidate, democrat or republican combined. She also believes that the nature of politics is you say what the people want to hear. So maybe you say something about trade when you're campaigning you're your husband eight, 10, 12 years ago, you say something different now that you're campaigning in Ohio or Pennsylvania. Maybe you say one thing about the war when it looks like the war is popular, maybe you say something different when the war gets to be unpopular. That's how business is done in Washington. That's become typical. The idea of running negative campaigns. Her staff called it the kitchen sink strategy. We're going to throw whatever we want at Barack, whether it's true, whether it's false, whether it's exaggerated, whether it's relevant, because that's, according to Senator Clinton what the republicans will do to Barack anyway so I might as well do it too. So what's happened is, is that Senator Clinton has internalized, a lot of the strategies, the tactics, that have made Washington such a miserable place where all we do is bicker and all we do is fight and meanwhile the oil companies and the gas companies, the insurance companies and the drug companies and the HMOs, they decide how this country's going to run. And what I've said in this campaign is that I don't want to just play the game better in Washington. I want to put an end to the game playing.

MALVEAUX: Senator Barack Obama here in Paoli, Pennsylvania, part of his whistle stop tour. Throughout the days ahead he is really trying to reach as many voters as possible leading up to that critical Pennsylvania primary. We heard Barack Obama not only going after Senator John McCain, but also Hillary Clinton. One of the issues that voters are talking about, it's not only Iraq, it's not only the economy, but it really is about integrity, the character of these candidates. So Barack Obama going after Hillary Clinton on that particular issue. Now Jessica, I know you are watching what Clinton is doing, what she is saying, it has really been a bitter battle, particularly in just the last 48 hours we've heard from these candidates after that debate talking about who is being honest, who actually has more credibility.

YELLIN: That's right Suzanne, increasingly barbed and personal in these final hours of the countdown to the primary. Senator Clinton as you know is also barnstorming the state. Today she has been in Westchester and West Lawn, she is going to York, also to California, Pennsylvania, and she's ending the day in McKeesport. That event is slated to begin at 9:00 p.m. So a very long day. We'll be hearing from Senator Clinton later on in BALLOT BOWL. And you know CNN is going to bring you all of the results of the Pennsylvania primary on our special election center starting 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday night. Of course you'll want to tune in for that and on the other side of this break we are going to check in with our own Bill Schneider to see the state of play in those polls in Pennsylvania. So stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. You've just heard from Barack Obama speaking in Paoli, Pennsylvania and he continues with that lively rally there. Senator Clinton is also stumping across the state today. Just a short time ago she spoke in West Lawn, Pennsylvania. She was addressing the crowd really hitting that theme that she is ready on day one. Let's listen.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CLINTON: I am ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for you but, of course, I have to win. That really depends upon what happens on Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary. Pennsylvanians have a tremendous opportunity to help pick the next president and I am asking for your support and your vote. If people think about this more as a job than a hiring decision, it puts it in a different light. Because you are really deciding who to hire for the toughest job in the world. And you have to ask yourself, who has the experience? Who has the strength? Who has the track record to be able to go into that oval office on day one? We don't even -- we don't even know all the problems we're going to be confronting, but we've got to elect a president who is ready to lead us with confidence and optimism into the future. Now there are some people who say, you know, America's best days are behind us. I don't buy that. I think if we do what we have to do as a nation our best days are still ahead. I believe we owe that to our children and our grandchildren to make it so. And people always say, well, can we do this? Well, yes, we can. But that's not the right question. Will we do this? Will we decide to change the economy? Will we decide to have health care that is affordable and quality for everyone. Will we make sure that we have an education system that works for our kids? Will we deal with everything from the home foreclosure crisis to the rising price of gas. Will we demonstrate once and for all to ourselves and the world that the 21st century just like the 20th century will be America's century. That we are the leader because the world needs us to be the leader. That we will keep faith here at home and around the globe.

Yes, we will! Yes, we will! Yes, we will! So let's go do it together.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

YELLIN: Senator Clinton speaking there in West Lawn, Pennsylvania. She was introduced at that event by governor Ed Rendell who has been campaigning so vigorously for her throughout Pennsylvania. Later on in the hour we're going to hear from Senator Clinton more. She will be speaking live at an event in York, Pennsylvania as she keeps up her busy schedule. And you can also catch her on "LARRY KING LIVE." She is going to be Larry's guest Monday night on the eve of the Pennsylvania primary, 9:00 p.m. in a one on one right here on CNN. And on BALLOT BOWL coming up on the other side of this break, we're going to hear from the other candidate who has not yet appeared in this hour, Senator John McCain. So stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. I'm Suzanne Malveaux here in Paoli, Pennsylvania. This is where Barack Obama just wrapped up a speech about 20 minutes or so taking on Senator John McCain, the presumptive republican nominee. But also really reserving much of his firepower for Senator Hillary Clinton. This is considered a do-or-die state for Clinton. We have seen that lead narrowing between these two candidates. It has been fiercely competitive. Every single vote counting. So you see Barack Obama here trying to reach as much ground sweeping across southeast Pennsylvania for the weekend leading up to that Tuesday primary. I want to bring in our own Bill Schneider. Bill, I know that you have been watching and crunching a lot of those numbers, those polls that we have been seeing. What does this race look like, just how tight is it?

WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SR. POLITICAL ANALYST: It is getting tighter. But Hillary Clinton is still in the lead. In fact, every single poll I have seen in the last month taken in Pennsylvania among the likely democratic primary voters shows Hillary Clinton in the lead, but that lead has been narrowing. We haven't seen Obama ahead yet in my poll. The latest poll of polls shows Hillary Clinton leading Barack Obama by five points, 48 to 43. Notice 9 percent of the democratic voters are unsure. That's twice the margin that Clinton has over Obama. So this race is still very much up in the air. And I should add that the debate which is very controversial held on Wednesday night some of the interviews in these polls were done before that debate, some after. We are not seeing any significant change after the debate.

MALVEAUX: Bill, what are we seeing in terms of the kinds of issues that voters are concerned about? I've noticed that these candidates have really been pushing this back and forth, talking about who is tougher than the other one or who is more credible, who is more honest. Are we seeing any changes in terms of how the voters see these candidates?

SCHNEIDER: Well certainly the issue that tops the list is the economy and both voters want to know what they're going to do about the economy. That's one reason why Hillary Clinton has maintained her lead. The voters believe she delivers, he inspires. She delivers, he inspires and a lot of the voters in Pennsylvania are looking for someone who can deliver the goods on the economy because they are hurting very, very badly. When it comes to personal characteristics she has certain advantages, experience. He has certain advantages, inspiration. So it kind of evens out. After the last debate he grabbed on to a new issue. He is running against politics as usual, the Washington insiders, the media establishments that he believes mishandled that debate by concentrating on trivial issues. So suddenly he started running very hard against politics as usual, which is one of his major themes.

MALVEAUX: Bill, there's been a call from Obama supporters that Hillary Clinton face the reality they believe that she should dropout, essentially, after Pennsylvania. There has been no indication from Clinton's side that she has any intention of doing that. They think that they can move forward, be strong in Indiana as well as North Carolina. What are the numbers? What are the polls indicating in terms of the contest beyond Pennsylvania?

SCHNEIDER: Well beyond Pennsylvania of course you have a tight race in Indiana, you've got North Carolina where Barack Obama seems to have a sizable lead. Let me tell you what this numbers game is all about. Hillary Clinton's opponent in this race isn't so much Barack Obama as expected. She has to do better than expected. If she does worse than expected there will be pressure on her to withdraw. About as well as expected the race will go on. What's expected? Here is my calculation. Just to the east of Pennsylvania is New Jersey. On February 5th, Clinton carried New Jersey over Obama 54 to 44, 10 points. Just to the west of Pennsylvania is Ohio. A month later March 4th, Clinton carried Ohio 54 to 44. It was amazing, 10 points. So therefore Pennsylvania is right in between. She is expected to win Pennsylvania by about 10 points. If she wins by bigger than that it will look like she is gaining momentum. If she does worse than that it will look like she is losing momentum. If she were to lose Pennsylvania I think the pressure on her to withdraw would be very powerful.

MALVEAUX: Ok thank you, Bill. We'll be getting back to you shortly. But obviously looking at the big picture as well as the minutia, just how this race is going to play out. I want to bring in Jessica Yellin. Jessica, it's really interesting we have seen over the last week or so really some harsh words between Senator Barack Obama and John McCain. Now they've been sparring over the economy, who is more prepared, who actually has a plan for these voters. And it's something that we heard from Barack Obama just moments ago. It's almost as if he is jumping ahead beyond Hillary Clinton and acting as if he is the nominee and he is fighting John McCain in the general election.

YELLIN: Absolutely. Barack Obama really waging a war right now on two fronts. Batting back Senator Hillary Clinton, trying to close that gap with her in Pennsylvania. And then of course as you say, looking ahead, presuming that he is going to be the general election nominee and taking square aim at John McCain. But meantime John McCain has a free-and-clear field to campaign on the themes that matter to Americans most. Obviously, he does not have to worry about any primary opponents. He has been hitting the theme that we just heard Bill Schneider say is the number one concern in America, the economy. John McCain this week really punching hard, emphasizing that he has a plan to address America's economic woes. On Tuesday in Pittsburgh he specifically addressed the question of taxes.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Our tax laws and those who enforce them should treat all citizens with respect whether they are married or single. But mothers and fathers bear special responsibilities. And the tax code should recognize this. Inflation has eroded the value of the exemption for dependents. I will send to congress a reform to increase the exemption with a goal of doubling it from $3,500 to $7,000 for every dependent in every family in America. The tax laws of America should also promote and reward innovation. Because obviously, innovation creates job. Tax laws shouldn't smother the ingenuity of our people with needless regulations and disincentives. So I will propose and sign into law a reform agenda to permit the first year expense of new equipment and technology, to ban internet taxes permanently, to ban cell phone taxes. This one might appeal to this audience, to ban new cell phone taxes. And to make the tax credit for research and development permanent so that we never lose our competitive edge. It is not enough, however, to make these little fixes here and there in the tax code. What we need, what we have a compelling requirement for is a simpler, flatter and fairer tax code. As president I will propose an alternative tax system. When this reform is enacted all who wish to be under the current system could still do so and everyone else could choose a vastly less complicated system with two tax rates and a generous standard deduction period, period. Americans don't resent paying their rightful share of taxes. What they do resent is being subjected to thousands of pages of needless and often irrational rules and demands from the IRS.

We know from experience that no serious reform of the current tax code will come out of congress. That's another little straight talk. So now it's time to turn the decision over to the people. We're going to create a new and simpler tax system and give the American people a choice. Better tax policy is just one part of a pro growth agenda that includes smarter regulation, a leaner more focused government and among the many benefits to America these reforms will help to create jobs, improve the investment climate, attract global investors and strengthen the dollar. Strengthen the dollar. Also Americans worry about stagnant wages which are caused in part by the rising cost of health care. Each year employers pay more and more for insurance leaving less and less to pay their employees. As president I will propose and relentlessly advocate changes that will bring down health care costs, make health care more affordable and accessible and help individuals and families by their health insurance with generous tax credits. And enable you to keep your insurance when you change jobs. I can't tell you the number of people that worry about when they change jobs and their ability to keep their health insurance.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

JESSICA YELLIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: John McCain offering something few Americans could object to, a simpler, fairer tax code and more reliable health insurance for everyone. We are going to hear more from him and from the other candidates later on in BALLOT BOWL. On Monday we want to tell you about something special we are holding on that day. The day before the Pennsylvania primary you can watch the best of BALLOT BOWL at cnn.com. It will be on all day, streaming on the internet. So you want to check that out. On the other side of this break we have all heard so much about the controversial debate that took place last week between Barack Obama and Senator Clinton. We are going to hear both candidates' reactions to the debate and their takeaway from what was considered a very contentious and problematic debate some think especially on the part of the media. So stay tuned.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL, I'm Suzanne Malveaux in Paoli, Pennsylvania. Barack Obama here making a quick stop about 20 minutes before he gets back on his train. He is really barnstorming across southeast Pennsylvania leading up to that critical primary on Tuesday. Obviously Senators Clinton and Barack Obama fiercely competitive over this state. It has a big prize in terms of delegates as well as momentum. What have they been talking about over the last week or so? Well there was a lot of fallout over Tuesday's debate. When they were face to face with each other. A lot of issues coming up, and a lot of firepower directed at Barack Obama. The first 45 minutes of debate dealing with his patriotism, controversial remarks by his pastor and his own remarks about some small town Pennsylvanians, calling them bitter. So Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton both weighed in on what they believed was how the other one treated them, sometimes mistreatment. Let's take a listen to how they sparred after the debate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. BARACK OBAMA, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Last night Senator Clinton and I had our 21st debate of the year. And I will tell you it does not get much more fun than these debates. They are inspiring events. Last night I think we set a new record because it took us 45 minutes before we even started talking about a single issue that matters to the American people. It took us 45 minutes. 45 minutes before we heard about health care. 45 minutes before we heard about Iraq, 45 minutes before we heard about jobs, 45 minutes before we heard about gas prices. Now, I don't blame Washington for this because that's just how Washington is. They like stirring up controversy and they like playing got you games and getting us to attack each other. I have to say Senator Clinton looked in her element. She's -- you know, she was taking every opportunity to get a dig in there you know. That's all right. That's her right. That's her right to kind of twist the knife a little bit. You know, that's why -- that's all right. That's all right. You know, that's why she's only airing negative attacks on TV in Pennsylvania. Like most places. Look, I understand that because that's the textbook Washington game. That's how our politics has been taught to be played. That is the lesson that she learned when the republicans were doing that same thing to her back in the 1990s. So I understand it and when you're running for the presidency then you've got to expect it. And you know you've just got to kind of let it -- you know. You know. That's what you've got to do. That's what you've got to do.

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON, (D) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Now, I'm really happy that Pennsylvania's going to get to vote. Some people didn't want your vote to count for very much. But I said wait a minute, I don't see how any democrat gets to Pennsylvania Avenue without going through Pennsylvania. So let's go compete in Pennsylvania. Some of you see that debate the other night? Well I know that some of my opponent's supporters and my opponent are kind of complaining about the hard questions. Well, having been in the White House for eight years and seeing what happens in terms of the pressures and the stresses on a president that was nothing. I mean, I'm with Harry Truman on this, if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: You've been listening to Barack Obama and Senator Clinton really the sparring after the sparring. And of course we are going to bring you all of that as well as the special coverage on Tuesday, Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, that starting at 7:00 eastern time. You will be getting the results as they come in. You'll be getting the flavor, the color, the candidates, all of that on Tuesday our special coverage starting at 7:00. Also after this quick break more of CNN's BALLOT BOWL as you get a chance to hear all of the candidates live and on tape, always unfiltered. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to BALLOT BOWL. We are going to check in with both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama at their live events as they continue to scramble throughout Pennsylvania today. But first let's take a listen to Senator Hillary Clinton speaking on Thursday in Philly. Always looking for the hometown connection. She reminded her audience of her family ties in Pennsylvania.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CLINTON: This election has gone on a long time. But I'm so proud that it got here to Pennsylvania so that you can help pick the next president. And it's really personal to me because some of you know my father was born and raised in Scranton. You know, my grandfather was a factory worker, he worked in the Scranton lace mills, worked from the age of 11 until the age of 65. He was a really good man. Worked so hard and he wanted a better life for his three sons. And my dad went to Penn State on a football scholarship. First time I told the governor that my father went to Penn State between 1931 and 1935 the governor said, well, was Joe there? And I said, yeah, I think so. But you know my grandfather and my father believed in the promise of America. They understood that you're not handed anything, you have to work for it. But you have to have the circumstances in which that's possible. It was possible for my family and I want to make sure it's possible for your families and I want to make sure it's possible for all of our children and grandchildren.

And so as you think about your decision on Tuesday, instead of thinking about it like an election where you watch commercials, you listen to the news, you decide you know I kind of like this person, I'm not sure about that person, some day I am, some day I'm not. And if you kind of bounce back and forth on it, consider this a very long job interview. Because after all you're the boss. You're hiring the next president of the United States and you're hiring somebody for the toughest job in the world. It's always tough. Well, I'm asking you to give me a chance to be hired. And like with any job interview the best way to know what I will do is to look at what I have done. I have stood up and fought against special interests when I took them on, the health insurance companies back in '93 and '94. We weren't successful but I don't give up and we're going to take them on again and this time we will get it done. So you know you can count on me. You know I will be there. You know that together we can once again put our country on the right track. So I would be honored to have your support on Tuesday and I will tell you this, if you give me a chance like the people of New York gave me a chance and I will work my heart out for you every single day and we will get this country back to where it belongs, where we can see the future is bright and filled with possibilities. Let's go have a big victory on Tuesday. Thank you and God bless you.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP) YELLIN: That was Senator Clinton stumping for votes on Thursday. Right now she is headed to York, Pennsylvania. She should be taking the stage there some time around the top of the hour. We will bring that to you live when it happens. For now I want to toss it back over to my colleague, Suzanne Malveaux, who has been with Barack Obama today. Suzanne today we heard him hitting both Senators Clinton and Senator McCain, but he's also spent a good part of this week defending some of his own comments.

MALVEAUX: Jessica, you are absolutely right. It is something that continues because a lot of people asking both of these candidates questions about whether or not they really understand people's problems on the ground, particularly in small towns in Pennsylvania. So this has been quite a controversy. We've seen Senator Clinton. We've heard her in her ad in Pennsylvania saying she has grown up on pinochle and the American dream. She's always talking about her roots, her ties to Scranton. So therefore you look at Barack Obama, you look at his story and the comments that he made at a closed fund raiser out in California some time ago when he described some small town Pennsylvanians as bitter, really hit a sour note among some people and certainly the Clinton campaign as well as McCain campaign jumped on that, seized on those comments. So Barack Obama ever since then has been trying to explain himself, explain those comments in a much broader context. He did that earlier this week in Greenville, North Carolina. Take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Over the last couple of days people have been saying, oh, Obama, you said people were angry and people were bitter. And, you know, look, I understand. I may not have phrased things exactly perfectly, but listen. I was absolutely certain about what I meant and what I said. You know, a woman I talked to the other day she said you may have misspoke but you didn't lie. Because people are angry. People are frustrated. They are frustrated about losing jobs, they're frustrated about seeing their communities deteriorate. They're frustrated about not being able to afford college. They're frustrated about schools that are not working. But -- but let me tell you something. This campaign started because we want to transform that frustration into hope. And, you know, I talk a lot about hope in my campaign. I've got hope on my signs. I wrote a book called "The Audacity of Hope." And you know the reason I talk about hope is the likelihood of me standing here today is very slim. You think about it. I'm born to a single mom, born to a teenage mom, raised by a single mom and my grandparents. They didn't have a lot of money. They didn't have fame or fortune. I didn't come from a political family. You know what I had? I had love, they gave me an education and they gave me hope. That's what they gave me. That's why I love when Senator Clinton says I'm an elitist. I said, you've got to be kidding me. I wish you had been there to help pay off some of my student loans five years ago. I didn't have a trust fund. So I do talk about a lot of hope. For a while there Senator Clinton was teasing me about, oh he's always making fancy speeches. He is peddling false hopes, I'm about solutions. The idea was is that if you talk about hope you are naive somehow. Well let me tell you something, hope is not blind optimism. Hope is not ignoring the problems that are out there. Hope is not pretending that things are ok and if you say they aren't somehow you must be out of touch. That's not what hope is. I know how hard it's going to be to change this country. I know how hard it will be to provide health care to every American. I know how hard it's going to be to make our education system work for every young person. I know how hard it's going to be to get our troops out of Iraq in a way that stabilizes the country. I know these things. I know because I fought on the streets as an organizer, I fought in the courts as a civil rights attorney. I have fought in the legislature and I've won some battles but I've lost some, too because good intentions aren't enough if not matched with political will and political power. I know that. But here's what I also know that nothing in this country has ever happened except somebody somewhere was willing to hope.

(END OF VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: You've been listening to Senator Barack Obama defining himself to the voters trying to counter the efforts from opponents John McCain and Hillary Clinton to define him and some of these controversial ways so Barack Obama speaking out, explaining what some of those remarks were. Particularly to small town Pennsylvania voters who are looking very closely at these two candidates in a hotly contested race leading up to the Tuesday Pennsylvania primary. Now we're going to have a lot more news coming up. Also the pope's visit to the United States. All of that when BALLOT BOWL continues after this break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

MALVEAUX: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. I'm Suzanne Malveaux here in Paoli, Pennsylvania. I want to show you some video, a moment that took place right here just moments ago. Senator Barack Obama making one of his stops on this whistle stop, you can hear that, whistle stop tour, throughout southeast Pennsylvania. He was trying to reach as many voters as possible. He has been having some fun with it as well, blowing the train whistle, he's been traveling in the caboose. With him obviously secret service as well as reporters, making numerous stops along the way. He started off in Philadelphia then it was Wynnewood and Paoli. The train is taking off right now. Paoli, he is heading to Downington, then Lancaster and then Harrisburg. All of these places obviously where he is making stops trying to communicate, reach the voters. Right behind me is really one of those moments you can see. Barack Obama waving goodbye to the crowd. A couple of people taking pictures. All of this -- I will get out of the way so we can actually see the shot. Barack Obama waving on that whistle stop tour. A lot of attention throughout the weekend of course obviously all of this leading up to the very important, the critical Pennsylvania primary coming up on Tuesday. We'll have all of that when BALLOT BOWL continues.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

YELLIN: Welcome back to CNN's BALLOT BOWL. We are listening to the democratic candidates as they crisscross Pennsylvania in these final hours before the crucial Pennsylvania primary happening on Tuesday. I'm Jessica Yellin in New York City. And I'm joined this afternoon by my colleague Suzanne Malveaux who is in Paoli, Pennsylvania. She has been listening to a Barack Obama rally that just wrapped up. Hey, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: Hey, Jessica. We saw the train just take off moments ago. Barack Obama pulling the whistle actually in the caboose there. Obviously a lot of attention that is being paid to both of these candidates Barack Obama and Senator Clinton. We are expecting to hear from Senator Clinton in York, Pennsylvania momentarily.

We are also going to bring you as well Barack Obama, his next stop on this on train, on the track, they call it the on track for change tour. His next stop is going to be Downington in Pennsylvania as he winds through on this Amtrak train through southeast Pennsylvania. I want to tell you, though -- I want you to listen to a bit of sound. This is really what they are focusing on. Barack Obama here just moments ago talking to voters and what he is doing is he is really trying to paint a picture of himself, define himself and his character.