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Voters Around the Country Decide
Aired November 07, 2006 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, I'm Heidi Collins.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Tony Harris. Spend the second hour in THE NEWSROOM this morning and stay informed.
Here's what's on the rundown. Who called the shots in Congress. Voters decide today. Some pundits painting this election as a referendum on the president and his policies.
COLLINS: And, hey, it's not too late to find out more about your candidate. Our Gerri Willis stops by with websites for last-minute details on the races.
HARRIS: And slogging it out to the polls, one corner of the country caps a nasty campaign season with nasty weather on this Tuesday, November 7th. You are in THE NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: Your vote, you may cast it in the humble setting of a firehouse or a school gym, but its impact could shake the halls of Congress and tip the balance of power on Capitol Hill. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs today. At least three dozen Republicans are considered at risk. Democrats are hoping to wrestle away at least 15 of those GOP seats to regain control of the House for the first time since 1994. Many pundits predict Democrats will take over the House.
The Senate may be a safer haven for Republicans. Seven GOP seats are considered vulnerable and possibly two Democratic seats as well. The Dems would have to not only hold on to those two seats, but take six GOP seats as well. Many analysts believe that is a long shot. CNN has deployed its correspondents and vast resources across the country to cover the key races.
We will be traveling from New York to Texas to Montana. Buckle up for this election edition of CNN NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: So let's start with the neck and neck, too close to call Senate race in Missouri, where voters are also considering stem cell research.
CNN's Jonathan Freed is in St. Louis this morning. Jonathan, good morning.
JONATHAN FREED, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony. This race has really come down to the wire. It has been heralded as a dead heat for weeks, and that stem cell issue has really been galvanizing voters on both sides. The big question that people have here is not just who is going to win between Claire McCaskill and Jim Talent, Jim talent the incumbent Republican, Claire McCaskill the Democratic challenger, but what are all those people going to the polls trying to weigh in on the stem cell debate, how is that going to affect the outcome of the race as well?
HARRIS: OK, Jonathan, so let's talk about what's on that ballot for voters to consider in Missouri.
FREED: Right, well, basically what this is coming down to is right now in Missouri -- there have been a couple of attempts by state legislators here to try to dial back stem cell research. And what this ballot initiative is trying to do is to put it into the constitution here, so that federal law will always stand and that state and local governments will not be able to stop stem cell research from happening within certain parameters.
There is wording in this initiative that would allow for a ban on cloning, but there's some debate as to whether or not it goes far enough. The human cloning process is a multi-step one, and the -- one of the measures that would be allowed under this amendment, some people argue, is the first step towards cloning, but those that are in favor of this amendment say, yes, but this is something that can go in multiple directions, and the second step towards human cloning would not be allowed, but the first step is necessary in order to really allow for the type of research that they say needs to happen.
And a lot of this comes down to dollars, Tony, as so many things do in politics. There are hundreds of millions of dollars that are just waiting to be poured into the economy here by companies that want to mix it up and get into this research. But if you have a political climate where you could see limitations imposed at any time in the future, they're not necessarily going to go there.
HARRIS: Boy, Jonathan, I'm going to tell you something. I don't know that it's possible to make clear sense of that amendment two issue on that ballot, with regard to stem cell, but you did a heck of a job. Jonathan, thank you.
FREED: Thank you very much.
COLLINS: Maryland, one of the key battle ground states in today's elections. So, pardon me, it looks like we're going to Washington State now. We want to go back to the scene we showed you just a few minutes ago. There was a man standing on top of that white vehicle there, completely surrounded in water, had really nowhere to go. So, obviously now we are looking at a rescue operation. Looks like he was put in that boat pretty safely. They are going to row him over to the side now. But, as Chad was talking about before, quite a bit of debris all over that area. And even though it's hard to tell, Chad, what part of the river it is, it's possible that this is not even the worst of it yet. Unfortunately, sounds like -- there he is. Hey Chad.
(WEATHER REPORT)
COLLINS: Now to Maryland, one of the key battle ground states in today's election. CNN's Brian Todd is standing by in Bowie, Maryland. Good morning to you Brian.
BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning Heidi. It is a big battleground state. A big issue is electronic voting. I'm going to get to that in a minute. You can see the crowd behind me, not a long line. This is actually pretty heavy for what's gone on here this morning. Not a lot of heavy voter traffic here and part of the issue is, as I mentioned, electronic voting.
Just a moment ago we spoke to Maryland Governor Bob Ehrlich. We talked to him about some of the problems on primary day a couple of months ago, where they had problems with poll workers not getting electronic access cards to the polling stations. They had problems with poll workers not removing the cards and the chips, the memory cards, so that the votes could be counted accurately. Governor Ehrlich told me that he did encourage some voters to vote absentee and he believes a couple hundred thousand are voting absentee this year in Maryland, hence the light voter turnout at places like this. Then he explained to me why he encouraged voters to do just that.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. BOB EHRLICH (R), MARYLAND: Given the experience that we had in primary day in Maryland, I just suggested it at least be an option for voters. Typically we associate absentees with military votes or someone called out of town, whatever. More people just as a discretionary thing this time have chosen to vote absentee. It's transparent. You know your vote is going to count.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
TODD: Now, obviously, Governor Ehrlich has a lot more on his mind than just electronic voting today. He is in a very, very tight race with Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley. That race seems to be coming down to the wire. A lot of it will depend on turnout, absentee or otherwise. And this is a very heavily Democratic state. Bob Ehrlich is the first Republican governor here in decades. So he is running in a very tight race with Martin O'Malley. The electronic vote is going to be important. Some of the votes, absentee and provisional ballots, that people use to avoid electronic voting, may not be counted until next week. So if these races are indeed very close, you may not know the results until next week, Heidi
COLLINS: Yes. Do you think, Brian, some of these gubernatorial races have sort of been, not ignored, but a little bit forgotten about?
TODD: They absolutely have. In Maryland, as I mentioned, the race is neck and neck and it's been overshadowed by a very, very tight Senate race. Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, a Republican who ran with Bob Ehrlich in 2002, has really pulled in very tight with Congressman Ben Cardin, a Democrat, unheard of in this state. This is a very, very heavily Democratic state. And Michael Steele is seen to have been almost pulled almost even with Ben Cardin. That is going to come down to the wire. And again, tonight we may not even know the result.
COLLINS: We'll stay up really late, though, just in case. OK, Brian? Brian Todd in Maryland for us.
TODD: I will be here
COLLINS: Thanks so much, Brian.
HARRIS: A big turnout expected in Connecticut today, a three-way Senate race, and close congressional battles are the big draw there. Our Dan Lothian is in Hartford. Dan, good to see you this morning. Let's talk about turnout. What is the turnout prediction from the secretary of state there in Connecticut?
DAN LOTHIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Secretary of State's Office telling us a short time ago that so far they're seeing early, heavy voter turnout. What they had been projecting over the past couple of days is really heavy, near-record turnout here in this election. They're looking at as high as perhaps 66 percent. If that is the case, it would be the highest voter -- statewide voter turnout in 16 years. And in part, it is because of the Senate race and also some House races as well here.
HARRIS: Hey, Dan, what voting system -- we'll get to Lieberman- Lamont in a second, but I want to ask you about the voting system. What voting system is being used there in Connecticut?
LOTHIAN: In this particular one behind us here they have the lever system so it's not --
HARRIS: The old lever system?
LOTHIAN: The old lever system they do have here. So, we have heard a lot about some of the problems and the issue with the electronic systems. Some of these older systems also have had some problems, but that's what they're using here today.
HARRIS: And what's the state of play with the Senate race that we were showing pictures of just a moment ago, between Senator Lieberman and Ned Lamont?
LOTHIAN: Well, as you know, it was a stunning defeat for Lieberman, who was the Democrat, in the Democratic primary. Ned Lamont, who is a wealthy businessman, pulling off that victory then. Lieberman then changing his party, becoming an independent. He says he's still a Democrat and if he wins, he will work with the Democrats in the Senate. He has, since that primary, really pulled ahead, but Ned Lamont said he's not looking at any of the numbers out there. He says no one expected him to do anything in the Democratic primary. He was able to pull it off then. He's confident he can do so again today.
HARRIS: And the Republican not even a factor in this race?
LOTHIAN: The Republican not a factor at all. Mr. Schlesinger, who is really registering about 8 percent or so in the polling, so he has not been a factor. Some of the moderate Republicans seeming to go towards Lieberman.
HARRIS: OK, Dan Lothian for us in Hartford. Dan, good to see you.
LOTHIAN: OK.
COLLINS: Be sure to join us at noon today for an hour of special election day coverage. We'll be joined by Don Lemon and Kyra Phillips right here in THE NEWSROOM. You aren't going to want to miss that.
And then stay with CNN for unmatched coverage of the elections. Prime Time begins at 7:00 eastern. Wolf Blitzer, Anderson Cooper, Paula Zahn and Lou Dobbs lead the best political team on television as your votes are counted.
Then a special two-hour late night edition of "LARRY KING LIVE." That begins at midnight in the east, 9:00 p.m. in the west. Trust CNN for the races, and the results later today.
HARRIS: The race for the seat once held by Congressman Mark Foley, it is one of the big battles today in Florida, if you can believe it. The latest in THE NEWSROOM.
COLLINS: A big Senate battle in New Jersey. It could help tilt the balance of power on Capitol Hill. We'll have that for you coming up.
HARRIS: Already sentenced to death, Saddam Hussein is still on trial. Today in court, a witness shows his wounds. He says the former dictator is responsible. We will go to Baghdad in just a few minutes, in THE NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: Hey, give me that shot back. The CNN's Election Express in New York City, Manhattan, today.
COLLINS: Avenue of the Americas, I think. Love that bus. I don't know. I can't tell what street it is.
HARRIS: Look at the bus. Is Larry in the bus? No, Larry is in Los Angeles.
COLLINS: No, he's in L.A., but there might be Wolf in there.
HARRIS: Wolf is in the bus?
COLLINS: Maybe.
HARRIS: Get a camera inside the bus.
After a hectic week on the campaign trail, President Bush up early this morning to cast his ballot. He and first lady Laura Bush voted at a fire station near their ranch in Crawford, Texas. After making his choice the president urged all Americans to go to the polls and let their voices be heard. He returns to the White House later today.
COLLINS: Democrats and Republicans fighting it out in New Jersey. A Senate battle there is one of today's races certainly to watch. To Hoboken now and CNN's Allan Chernoff. Allan, good morning once again. There you are, Allan.
ALLAN CHERNOFF, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Democrats here certainly are trying to hold on to their Senate seat, but it is vulnerable, without question. The Republican challenger Tom Kean Jr. has been nipping at Senator Menendez's heels, the Democratic senator. And he's been accomplishing that partly by attacking the senator, saying that the senator is corrupt, saying that he's under federal investigation. Senator Menendez has denied all of that.
He also, Tom Kean, has benefited quite a bit from his father, Tom Kean Sr., a former governor here in New Jersey, also the former chair of the 9/11 commission. Tom Kean Sr., is extremely popular here in New Jersey, and there's no question that his son is clearly benefiting quite a bit from this dad's reputation. Senator Menendez is going to be relying very much on organized labor. In fact, he's attending four labor rallies today, and the AFL-CIO has said it has thousands of people making calls, trying to get people out to the polls. So, Senator Menenedez certainly does need to see a strong showing from the Democratic portions of New Jersey.
COLLINS: All right, it will definitely be an interesting one. Allan Chernoff in Hoboken, New Jersey. Thank you Allan.
HARRIS: The Capitol Hill page scandal casting a shadow over one race in upstate New York. CNN's Deborah Feyerick in buffalo with an update on the Congressman Reynolds-Jack Davis race. Deborah, good morning.
DEBORAH FEYERICK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Tony. Well, you know, there's always that moment when the candidates emerge from behind the curtains. They're smiling, they're waving their arms, looking victorious. The question here is why isn't anyone from the Reynolds campaign telling members of the media where the candidate is voting and when? It's certainly not a big deal, but the image is one that usually plays a lot, especially in a local market. It sets the tone, it sets the pace. You saw President Bush voting earlier today.
Now, the Democratic opponent, 73-year-old businessman, a former Republican himself, who's now a Democrat, Jack Davis, he did vote earlier today, walking out of that booth, smiling, looking victorious. Political insiders that we spoke to say that this area, especially in western New York, is very heavily Republican. It's usually a safe district. However, because there is so much in play, because of the turn in the war in Iraq, because of the Foley scandal, they know that this seat is very important. The Republicans we spoke to say they were very motivated to come out to make sure that they retain control, but others said it is time for a change.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I believe that we need serious change in the country, more so than in New York state, and so my interest in the Congressional elections is strong. So, that's probably the primary reason that I'm here. If it were simply local, I'm sure I would have come out anyhow, but I think that was the most compelling reason for today.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FEYERICK: And a spokesman for Congressman Reynolds says he is traveling the district today, trying to rally final voters to make sure that they do get to the polls. Same with Jack Davis. Both men giving it all they've got in the final hours.
HARRIS: And Deb, this is a bit of a political grudge match, isn't it? These two have faced off before, recently.
FEYERICK: It is a political grudge match. They faced off against each other two years ago. At that time, the Democratic opponent was a relative unknown. It's been two years. He was able to get significant name recognition, but even two years ago, when he first broke onto the scene, he still managed to get 44 percent of the vote. So whether the Foley scandal and everything else that's going on will have an impact and raise his numbers, again, voters here lining up steadily to make their choices.
HARRIS: And Deb, just one more quick question. How quickly is the line moving through that polling station where you are right now? From the time you shown up to the time you get in and get back out of the polling station, how long does it take?
FEYERICK: This is great. We are here at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Eerie County, New York, and the voters have been coming in since 6:00 this morning. As a matter of fact, the first one, the minute the doors opened, they were already inside. But, very efficient, they are handling the workers very easily, very well. They get in, they get out, nobody is spending a lot of time in the voting booth making up their mind there. It seems like they've already come with their minds knowing exactly what levers they are going to pull.
HARRIS: Oh, that's it. And they are using the old lever system? This is not the opti-scan system or one of the e-voting systems?
FEYERICK: There's something very comforting about hearing the sound of that lever pulled back and forth and the curtains opening and closing. So, no, they're still the old system. It works for them. No electronics here.
HARRIS: OK, Deborah Feyerick for us in Buffalo. Deb, thank you.
COLLINS: Electronics or not, while you vote, they will be keeping watch. An army of election observers monitoring key polling places today. The Justice Department dispatched 850 election observers across the nation, the most ever. They will be keeping an eye on things in 69 jurisdictions across 22 states. Federal officials have targeted areas where there's potential for trouble. Officials say voters should not even know the monitors are there.
HARRIS: Today is all about the voter, the process, and Gerri Willis, you are here to help us get voters information they need as they head out to the polls today. GERRI WILLIS, CNN ANCHOR: Hey, Tony, good to see you. Election day is finally here. Are you wondering what kind of I.D. to take to the polls or even where your polling station is? Top Tips is here with some answers from the web. That's up next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(MARKET REPORT)
HARRIS: Election day, lots of choices, lots of rules, and now a little guidance. Joining us with an election day edition of Gerri's Top Tips, CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis. She joins us from New York. Gerri, good morning.
WILLIS: Hey there Tony. Good to see you. You know, for election day, there's lots of planning to do. The first thing you want to know, what to bring. In most cases, you will have to provide a picture I.D., but in some states you may need a state-issued I.D. and that means a driver's license. Your state's board of elections is a great place to start for this information, on their website. And if you don't know which polling station to report to, check out votefor11.org and type in your address.
Number two, you've got to get the issues. Most of the races in this election are local. To find out what issues are making your community's hot list, start with the local League of Women Voters. Every year the League puts out a voter guide, highlighting local election issues and candidates' positions on these issues. To find your local league, go to their website at LWV.org.
And number three, you've got to know your candidate. There is a ton of detail out there for -- about candidates for people who are handy with a mouse. Go to OpenSecrets.org to find out where your local candidates' campaign contribution are from. You can also find out any trips financed by special interest groups or even the companies they invest in. Now, if what you want are the basics on the politicians appearing on your ballot, go to VoteSmart.org. You will be able to view their voting record on specific bills if they are an incumbent, or you can simply call 1-888-Vote-Smart.
And, of course, you might want to spy on the neighbors this year. If you want to check up on who your neighbor is donating to, check out FundRaise.org to see just how much the Jones are giving to various political parties. And, of course, if you just want to let off some steam, and that happens, check out ETalkingHeads.com, where you can get a range of political blogs, from the conservative to the moderate to the liberal, whatever is your flavor of the day. Stay up to date and check out our website, CNN.com/Politics.
HARRIS: There you go. Great tips, Gerri. Thank you so much. We're all about the voter today.
WILLIS: That's right. Go vote!
HARRIS: Go vote. A battle in Illinois. He is a rising Republican star. She is an Iraq war veteran on a new mission. A live report on a race to watch in THE NEWSROOM.
And you know what they say, as Indiana goes, so goes the country? First results could be a barometer. That story unfolding in THE NEWSROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: CNN's John Zarrella keeping an eye on the big races in Florida. He is with us now from Jupiter, Florida.
Good morning to you, John.
JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Good morning, Heidi.
You know, I would venture to say that five weeks ago, before the Mark Foley congressional page scandal broke, there aren't many people around the country who knew where Florida 16th Congressional District was. After the scandal broke, there were a lot of experts saying there was no way the Republicans would hold onto a seat they had held for the last quarter of a century.
But in the last month, the Republicans have closed the gap, saying they always thought they could win the seat. And now both the Democrat and the Republican are claiming they're going to win.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA (voice over): In the final hours before election day, Republican Joe Negron campaigned for votes at a busy intersection.
A month ago Negron's political future intersected with the political demise of Congressman Mark Foley. Hand picked by the Republican Party to replace Foley, many experts felt there was no way Negron could overcome the congressional page scandal. But in four weeks, Negron has gone from no shot, to long shot, to a real shot.
JOE NEGRON, (R) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: And this is a conservative district. We want change, but we want conservative change. That's one reason that I think this campaign has really taken off.
ZARRELLA: In a district encompassing eight counties, from the West Coast to the East Coast, Negron, and his Democratic opponent Tim Mahoney, have put in a lot of miles.
TIM MAHONEY, (D) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: I'm Tim Mahoney. I'm running for Congress.
ZARRELLA: Mahoney has seen his double-digit lead evaporate, but still believes people will vote for change. MAHONEY: If you think that we can do better, if you think we can work together better in Washington; we can restore our values? I'm the person that's going to go up there and make those changes.
ZARRELLA: Bottom line, this election is much likely to be closer than either party thought just a month ago.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ZARRELLA: Now, Mark Foley's name is on the ballot here in the 16th Congressional District, which encompasses, again, eight counties, but the Republicans say that should not be a problem. They believe that the voters here are very educated and that when they go in the polls, they will know that a vote for Mark Foley is actually a vote for Joe Negron.
In fact, the Republicans came up with a slogan that said, "Punch Foley for Negron."
Now, if there is still some confusion on the part of voters, they can ask one of the supervisors at their polling place. And they will be given a sheet of paper, here in Palm Beach County, that says, literally, that a "vote for Foley is a vote for Negron, and a vote for Mahoney is a vote for Mahoney, and a vote for the independent is a vote for the independent."
So, Heidi, think that's pretty clear, and they should be able to get through it here in the 16th Congressional District -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yeah, you mentioned that Republicans are OK, with it as far as Foley still being on the ballot. What about Democrats?
ZARRELLA: Yeah, I talked to Tim Mahoney, the candidate, right along and he said, look, he always wanted this to be about issues. And if it helps him, well, so be it. But at the same time, he also expressed the fact that this is a very intelligent population of voters here in this congressional district. And he, himself, did not feel that it was going to make that much of a difference.
Just hoping that after a quarter of a century in Republican hands that he can turn the tide and actually win this one for the Democrats, which -- still now would be quite a surprise, given how close it's become.
COLLINS: Yeah, no kidding. All right, John Zarrella watching things in Florida for us. Thank you, John.
TONY HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR, CNN NEWSROOM: Well, Ohio is one of today's big battle ground states. CNN National Correspondent Bob Franken is in the capital city of Columbus.
And, Bob, so much to consider in Ohio. You've got five important congressional races and important Senate race as well, a gubernatorial race. So much to engage voters in Ohio. What are the predictions on turnout today? BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Well, the predictions were -- and are -- that there's going to be a record for midterm elections. It's going to approach 55 percent. And if this polling place and others around the state are any indication, that is probably going to be realized.
Now, at this hour, as you can see from the live picture, this is not a polling place, probably none of them is a polling place, that is particularly full. But within the next hour and a half or so, as the lunchtime crowd comes in, it will full up again. If this morning is any indication, when there were lines in the polling place.
We have gotten reports from around the state that there are sometimes lines that stretch for quite a bit of time. Now what we don't know is for whom those lines are waiting. The Republicans and Democrats both had massive get out the vote efforts this weekend. Republicans are well-known for those.
As for the candidates, there are certain rituals that are followed during the election. Of course, the most important one being that each candidate, particularly the prominent ones, braves phalanx of television cameras as he goes to vote.
The Republican incumbent Mike DeWine, who is the underdog in this election, according to the polls, registered his vote this morning at his voting precinct, which is near Dayton, Ohio. Mike DeWine, the Republican incumbent, as I said, who was voting, you can see him there, was voting for himself, presumably, and the Republican ticket.
Meanwhile, his Democratic challenger, Congressman Sherrod Brown, who is ahead in the polls, had his vote also this morning. He lives in the area west of Cleveland, Ohio, and he made his vote this morning. This is Sherrod Brown at a rally the other night. He just voted a short time ago.
Both of the candidates will now go around and thank their supporters, and then go to their respective headquarters and wait for the results this evening. The Democrats are hoping that between the Senate race, and at least five of the 22 districts of the House districts in Ohio, that they will have a very good night.
The Republicans are saying they are primed, hoping -- hoping for an upset that will maintain Ohio's reputation as a bellwether for the country. I think it's fair to say we will get a good idea, perhaps, of how the country is doing, as people watch what the results are in Ohio -- Tony.
HARRIS: CNN National Correspondent Bob Franken for us in Columbus. Bob, thank you.
COLLINS: To Illinois now, where an Iraq war veteran is fighting a new battle on the political front lines. CNN's Keith Oppenheim is in the Chicago suburb of Elmhurst.
Boy, Keith, you were mentioning last time around, Tammy Duckworth, we are talking about here, but about another story about $40 million being pumped into television ads even at this late date now?
KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: It's been a very expensive campaign, Heidi. Perhaps one of the most expensive congressional races in Illinois history.
Today an interesting choice for voters here in the sixth congressional district between an experienced legislator and a political newcomer, a novice, if you will, who, because of her compelling background story, tends to get a lot of attention whenever she enters a room.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OPPENHEIM (voice over): Sometimes she walks with artificial limbs; other times rolls in on a wheelchair. Wherever she goes, Tammy Duckworth reminds voters she paid a price in Iraq.
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, (D-IL) CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: I just have to thank God for the second chance have been given.
OPPENHEIM: Two years ago this month, Duckworth, a major in the Army National Guard, lost her legs when a grenade struck her helicopter. At first, her bid as a Democrat to win the seat held for 32 years by Republican Congressman Henry Hyde seemed like a long shot.
After all, her opponent, Peter Roskam, a state senator with far more political experience, has been pushing conservative themes in the district that leans right.
PETER ROSKAM (R-IL), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: People understand that our security is at stake.
OPPENHEIM: But Duckworth's background has given her ammunition.
DUCKWORTH: He is so lacking, in his own voice, he actually accused me of being someone who would be a cut and run Democrat.
OPPENHEIM: Because she's a disabled veteran, she's getting international attention.
PHILIP REAY-SMITH, ITN: Because it seems to crystallize the whole Iraq issue.
OPPENHEIM: Still, all politics is local. Roskam has portrayed Duckworth as an outsider.
ROSKAM: You know the people in Washington, D.C., who cooked up my opponent's candidacy --
OPPENHEIM: Recruited by national Democrats to run. Bottom line, a district once safely Republican has become too close to call.
PROF. PAUL GREEN, ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY: It's going to be -- as we used to say in the old days in Chicago -- a precinct captain's race. In other words, which of those two candidates, and their organization, can bring their voters to the polls on election day? (END VIDEOTAPE)
OPPENHEIM: Heidi, with the millions that has been spent on television advertising, what may matter most now, in the final chapter, is which of these campaigns will have done a better job, particularly over this past weekend, of getting their voters out to the polls today -- Heidi.
COLLINS: All right, Keith Oppenheim, watching it for us in Illinois. Thank you, Keith.
HARRIS: All about the voters today. All about the voters! So before you head to the polls, here are some reminders to make the process smoother.
Double-check your polling place. If your station has been moved, you should have been contacted, but just in case, check with your local elections office.
If you use a website, there may also be a sample ballot. Making your selections now will save time for everyone at the voting site. While you are at it confirm the hours your local polls will be open today. Finally, finally, remember to bring along some form of identification, very important.
COLLINS: To make decisions about America's sons and daughters serving in Iraq, including their own. Congressmen with a personal stake in the war. That's coming up in the NEWSROOM.
SUSAN LISOVICZ, CNN FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: I'm Susan Lisovicz at the New York Stock Exchange.
What do investors want on this election day? I'll have Wall Street's wish list next. You are watching CNN, the most trusted name in news.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
HARRIS: T.J. Holmes is following breaking news with word of a mystery in the Tampa, Florida, area.
T.J., what's the story?
T.J. HOLMES, CNN CORRESPONDENT, CNN NEWSROOM: Yeah, this is a strange one. The mystery here is exactly who are these two children and where are their parents? We have pictures of them. There they are three-year-old girl there on the right, her one-year-old, presumably, brother there on the left.
But the strange set of circumstances, that got police to this point. What happened, they say, police say, last night, at 2:45 in the morning, a man shows up, knocks on a door in the Tampa area, of people who did not know the children, did not know the man. He asked to use the telephone. They allowed him to use the telephone.
Again, at 2:45 in the morning, he goes in with the children, uses the phone, then says he wants to step out and smoke a cigarette outside. They never see him again, leaves the two children there.
Well, police get involved now, and they interview the children. Of course, you can imagine, you're not going to get really anything from a one-year-old, not too much either from interviewing a three- year-old.
But from indications of interviewing the three-year-old, they believe that there may have been some kind of abuse, or foul play, domestic violence involving the mother of these two children. And they did identify the man who abandoned them as their father.
So, that adds to the mystery here as well. But again, police are asking for some kind of a help here with the -- with these kids.
Actually, we're now just getting word here that the grandmother has identified the children and has come forward. The children were taken by the Department of Children and Family Services, taken into custody by them. But now we're just getting word that the grandmother has come forward to claim the abandoned children.
But still do not know where the father is and do not know the whereabouts -- or the condition really -- of the mother. And that has concerned the police there. But again, some good news, at least, the grandmother has come forward. But again, just a strange set of circumstances there and a mystery we will be following for you.
HARRIS: Thank you, T.J. Appreciate it. Thank you.
COLLINS: The stock market has been on a roll recently, but would Democrats or Republicans be better for Wall Street? Susan Lisovicz joining us from the New York Stock Exchange to tell us.
It may not really make much of a difference, Susan?
LISOVICZ: That's right. When you think about the stock market records, Heidi, as well as the wave of M&A activity, and all these terrific corporate profits, if history is any guide, next year is likely to be a good one for Wall Street, regardless of who wins the midterm elections today.
Experts say stocks tend to go up in the third year of the four- year presidential cycle, there's a sense of continuity, familiarity. In fact, in the third year, they have risen an average 23 percent, in similar years dating back to 1946.
Other factors may contribute to upward momentum as well. If Republicans hold onto both houses of Congress, we may see a stock rally, since Wall Street generally views Republicans as more friendly to big business and they are likely to make ending the estate tax a priority.
But if democrats take one or both houses, it would mean a divided government and that is seen as good for the market as well. That's because gridlock often steps in, and it stops any damaging economic bills from making its way through the legislative process. And it basically gridlock can just stop about everything, and sometimes the market wants that to happen as well -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Yes, it gets pretty complicated, doesn't it? What types of stocks, though, are likely to benefit?
LISOVICZ: Right. Well, there are certain sectors, Heidi, that stand to win or lose. If Republicans retain control of Congress, oil and other traditional energy stocks would be likely to benefit, as well as defense contractors and big pharmaceutical companies, which fear price controls set by the government. Democrats might be better for alternative energy companies like ethanol producers.
Whatever happens today, the uncertainty of last couple weeks will go away, and that could clear the way for yet more buying on Wall Street and that's what we're seeing today.
We're seeing some nice gains extending yesterday's rally. The Dow industrials best performance in a month, yesterday. In the past hour they set a new intraday high, up right now 66 points. Or about a .5 percent. Nasdaq is doing even better, up about 1 percent. That's the latest from the Street. Heidi and Tony, back to you.
COLLINS: All right, very good. Susan Lisovicz, thanks.
HARRIS: Hey, let's see these live pictures, day break in Washington State. Take a look at this. All of the water, rain, flooding. We saw a rescue earlier, just a soggy, dangerous mess. Weather plays a role at the polls, that's for sure. That story coming up in the NEWSROOM.
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COLLINS: Going to head over to Chad in just a minute, but first crews expect to have a fire in Southern California fully contained today. Remember this, you saw the flair up, live here on CNN yesterday.
It was just absolutely ferocious. The wind-driven blaze burned more than 600 acres, about 60 miles east of L.A. And industrial yard was leveled. Two schools evacuated. It caused about $1 million in property damage -- but no injuries to report.
Firefighters still pretty concern with gusty winds, flaring up again today, at least the possibility of that. So, warnings are posted for much of Southern California.
HARRIS: Boy, what about the weather story in Washington State today. We've been showing you these pictures. Chad, of flooded areas.
CHAD MYERS, CNN METEOROLOGIST, CNN NEWSROOM: Absolutely.
HARRIS: Roads being washed out.
MYERS: Sure.
HARRIS: Folks being trapped on top of their vehicles. It's just been a real mess. I see you prepared something for us? This is the scene from earlier?
MYERS: This is what we saw earlier, a man on top of his car. You think how can you get that car that far into the water? Well, the water was coming up very, very fast, and in some spots coming up six -- in six hours, over 15 feet.
So, once you get the car stalled and the water is just coming up and coming up, then you're in real trouble. And the good news is at least that water wasn't moving very much.
This is the Skykomish River now, near Gold Bar. This was literally 45 minutes to a two-hour peak to the west of where that water was. Now, the Skykomish, near Gold Bar is actually coming down. The peak is over, coming down. But this bubble of water, if you will, has to make its way all the way down the Skykomish, into the Snoqualmie, and eventually over toward Everett. So this peak will continue.
I know we had more pictures of what we were seeing here, near the Skykomish area now, flooding this river completely out of its banks, just about everywhere across central and western Washington. The Skykomish -- to even the southern Snoqualmie River way out of the banks.
Can we go to any of those pictures? Do we have the video there? Here we go. We had them for a half a second. I hope you took a quick shot of that.
But obviously this is far from Seattle, so the satellite -- the signal coming out of the helicopter having trouble at times. This is Kiro, K-I-R-O, Snohomish County, Washington. You can just see it. This is near Hard Rock, near High Rock, out toward Monroe. And this is some farm area, some farm country that is just to the east of Seattle.
And I'll tell you what, that water just rushed over the banks and out into that farmland rather quickly. We do know a couple things, Highway 2, that is the Stevens Pass highway, it's closed near Skykomish itself. Out of Olympia, the State Transportation Department has now closed 20 highways in western Washington, and 700 workers are clearing out drains, removing debris and posting road closures.
Some of the areas around the Snoqualmie Pass, even on I-90 are under water this morning. So a real dangerous situation out there. Now that it's light, it's easier to get around and see the water. When it's dark, you don't even know it's there.
HARRIS: Man! Chad, thanks.
COLLINS: Meanwhile, Americans are casting their votes, sort of despite the weather, we think. As candidates hold their breaths, too. Control of Congress at stake. I think we are looking at pretty much all of the polling places across the country open.
HARRIS: On line, great.
COLLINS: A closer look through the eyes of veteran Washington insider David Gergen. He will be joining us later in the NEWSROOM.
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HARRIS: Your with CNN, you're informed. Good morning, everyone. I'm Tony Harris.
COLLINS: And I'm Heidi Collins. Developments keep coming into the NEWSROOM on this Tuesday, November 7, election day.
Here's what's on the run down. It is up to you. Voters make a choice this election day. A bitter campaign season ends with control of Congress at stake.
HARRIS: Our Larry King goes 90210 on us. The election from the vantage point of Beverly Hills.
COLLINS: And critical information for parents. Your baby needs iron. The nutrient may be the key to a steely brain. The new findings, here in the NEWSROOM.
HARRIS: Your vote: You may cast it in the humble setting of a firehouse or school gym, but its impact could shake the halls of Congress and tip the balance of power on Capitol Hill. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives are up for grabs today.
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