Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Larry King Live
Should Hillary Clinton Drop Out of the Race?; Senator Bob Casey Gives Perspective on Election; "Keeping Up With the Kardashians"
Aired March 28, 2008 - 21:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LARRY KING, HOST: Tonight, the Democrats' dilemma -- him or her?
Should someone give up for the good of the party?
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: What about the idea of the honest broker who goes to the two candidates and helps push one or the other of them?
AL GORE, FORMER VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm not applying for the job as a broker.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Obama says he's not going anywhere. Clinton says she's in it to win it. Now Chelsea sounds off with a shocker.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CHELSEA CLINTON: The question is do I think my mother will be a better president than my father?
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: You won't believe the answer.
Plus, high profile daughters of a very different kind. They've invited us into their house to see and hear all kinds of intimate stuff.
Why?
Would you want cameras poking into your personal life?
We'll keep up with the Kardashians.
It's Friday, it's fun.
It's next on LARRY KING LIVE.
We begin with an outstanding talent.
By the way, later, Senator Bob Casey, the Democrat of Pennsylvania, will tell us why he endorsed Barack Obama today.
Our panel is Stephanie Miller, progressive talk radio with her own show and a supporter of Barack Obama. She's here in L.A.
In Minneapolis, Ed Schultz, progressive talk radio host. He hosts his own program. A supporter of Obama, as well.
In New York is Congressman Anthony Weiner. He's a Democrat in New York and a supporter of Hillary Clinton.
And in Boston is Carole Simpson, an old friend. I haven't seen her in a while. The former ABC anchor and now leader-in-residence at Emerson College. She's a supporter of Hillary Clinton.
Panel, I want you to listen to something. McHillary Clinton is under increasing pressure to end her presidential bid.
Senate Patrick Leahy, a very respected member of the Senate, a high profile supporter of Obama, is doing some pushing.
Listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. PATRICK LEAHY (D), VERMONT: Certainly, she's qualified to be president. But I don't see her as being the nominee just because of the way the numbers are going. I think she may well want to consider doing what others who were running who were also well qualified to be president, who stepped down.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Should she step out, Stephanie?
STEPHANIE MILLER, HOST, "THE STEPHANIE MILLER SHOW": You know, Larry, the first 10 times I've been asked this on television I've said no. And now I think the storm clouds really are gathering, between Senator Leahy and Bob Casey. And just if you really do the math and you look at the polling and you see what's happening and who's benefiting, I really do think it's time. I think this is only benefiting John McCain and the Republican Party.
KING: Congressman Weiner, how can your candidate win?
REP. ANTHONY WEINER (D), NEW YORK, SUPPORTS CLINTON: Well, I think it's puzzling. You know, first, we heard that Florida and Michigan shouldn't be counted because they went too early and now these 10 states that are coming shouldn't even be counted because they went too late.
Let's let the process play out. I think this is probably pretty offensive to people in North Carolina or in Pennsylvania and Oregon who are trying to -- want their voice to be heard.
There's really no rush here. I understand that there might be some effort on the part of Obama supporters to have Hillary drop out.
I want to say, for the record as a Hillary supporter, I don't want Barack Obama to drop out just yet. I think we should have these primaries. And let's let voters have their say. This process is supposed to be one we look at all 50 states and I'm ready to do that. And I think that Obama supporters should, as well.
KING: All right, Ed Schultz with this announcement and the announcement today of Senator Casey supporting the removal -- that Hillary should leave, do you think that she should leave?
ED SCHULTZ, HOST, "THE ED SCHULTZ SHOW," SUPPORTS OBAMA: Well, Larry, I told you on your program back on February 19th I thought it was over. But I think Senator Clinton has to be a realist. Now, a month ago, Senator Casey told me that he was going to stay neutral when I was in Washington and talked to him.
What's changed?
I think there'll be more senators coming out, because the position of the Democrats right now, Larry, is they think that they're positioned to get 60 seats in the Senate. And they may be squandering that opportunity away with this bitterness and this fight that continues on.
And it's also a question of resources that are starting to dry up a little bit. I mean these other seats, these other races, they need money to get those 60 seats. So there's going to be a price to be paid the longer this thing goes on.
KING: Carole Simpson, the polling suggests that the nomination fight is hurting Clinton more than Obama.
Is she in trouble?
CAROLE SIMPSON, SUPPORTS CLINTON: She's in trouble. But please let me say that she should not, by any means, drop out. She is the first woman to get close to the highest office in this land. And I am sick of hearing people say the woman should drop out. They're talking about the math. Forget the math. Let people vote.
She would be criticized if she were to drop out -- she's a quitter -- she's a -- she's damned if she does. Damned if she doesn't. And I think we are not paying attention to how much the gender card is being played against Hillary Clinton.
MILLER: Carole, can I jump in as the other woman on this panel?
I don't think anyone is asking Hillary Clinton to drop out as a woman. I think we're asking her to drop out as a woman that cannot win the delegate math.
SIMPSON: Why are you saying that she can't win it?
MILLER: Because that's what the math is showing. She would have to, Carole...
SIMPSON: And the polls show...
MILLER: ...win every contest by over 20 points. She would have to either like have the superdelegates completely overturn the will of the people. The math just doesn't work.
I'm the woman. I don't want to turn in my vagaja (ph) for not supporting Hillary Clinton.
(LAUGHTER)
MILLER: I just think that she just can't win. I think she'd be a terrific president.
KING: All right...
MILLER: I think that Barack Obama has this won...
KING: Congressman Weiner, what do you think?
MILLER: And I think it's time to do what's best for the party.
WEINER: Well, I think we're going to have an opportunity to find out, I think. I really don't understand what the great fear is of having this debate. You know, it seems to me that it's not that much of a surprise. Today we heard two Barack Obama supporters saying to have Barack Obama's opponent drop out of the race. It really is not newsworthy.
What would be newsworthy, if Hillary Clinton continued to make the argument that she's got the experience to deal with the economy, she's got the experience to deal with the foreign policy challenges. These are the things that we've got to argue. This is a very important question we've got to resolve. This isn't a parlor game. It's not a sporting event. It's who would be the strongest Democrat against John McCain.
And I'll tell you something else, while all this attention is being paid to the Democrats, it's very difficult for the Republicans to get traction. The notion that the money is drying up -- you know, Barack Obama is raising a million dollars a day. Hillary would have been the record-breaking fundraiser if it weren't for Barack being in the race. She's raising about $20 million each and every month.
The excitement at the grassroots in every poll shows citizens want this continue. I think we should listen to them.
SCHULTZ: But, Congressman, these are not ordinary Barack Obama supporters. Chris Dodd knows this process probably better than anybody. He's the former DNC chair. He's been out on the road. He knows what it's like. He knows the bitterness that's being created by this prolonged fight.
Hillary Clinton and her supporters need to step up and say how are you going to win this thing without strongarming superdelegates?
If that's the way she's going to win it, it's going to disenfranchise a lot of people in this country -- a lot of Democrats. And that's the fear in all of this.
KING: All right... (CROSSTALK)
KING: Hold it...
(CROSSTALK)
WEINER: Well, let me just say this...
KING: Hold it, hold it.
(CROSSTALK)
KING: Hold it, guys.
(CROSSTALK)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Larry. Larry.
LEMON: Let me get a break and we'll come right back with Carole.
We'll be back with our panel in a minute.
Still ahead on LARRY KING LIVE, it's the Kardashians. We'll meet the wild and sexy girls, coming up on LARRY KING LIVE.
We'll see you right after the break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: You know, there are some people who are saying, you know, we really ought to end this primary. We just ought to shut it down...
(BOOS)
H. CLINTON: There was a poll the other day that said 22 percent of Democrats wanted me to drop out and 22 percent wanted Senator Obama to drop out and 62 percent said let people vote until we finally know what the outcome is.
(APPLAUSE)
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: This race is not getting any lighter.
Chelsea Clinton may not speak directly to the press, as we know. But she's getting some real campaign trial experience at dealing with sticky questions.
Here is one example.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
C. CLINTON: His question is do I think my mother will be a better president than my father?
Well, again, I don't take anything for granted, but hopefully with Pennsylvania's help, she will be our next president. And, yes, I do think she'll be a better president.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Carole Simpson, what do you make of that?
(LAUGHTER)
SIMPSON: I have seen them together and they're a very close mother and daughter. And they went through a traumatic experience together during the Monica Lewinsky case. And I noticed Chelsea and her mother getting tighter and tighter. So they have a bond that I think is very strong.
But, Larry, I wanted to go back to all of this talk about somebody dropping out for the good of the party, for the good of the Democrats and stuff like that.
What about the country?
I'm concerned about the good of the country. Our country is in terrible shape. And I believe Hillary Clinton is best qualified to move ahead and move us forward -- than Barack Obama. He's young. He has time. He could be a vice president. But in terms of the person that I think is best qualified to lead this country right now, is a woman, somebody different.
MILLER: Well, Carole...
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Well, Carole, why is (INAUDIBLE)...
MILLER: ...no offense to you and Congressman Weiner...
KING: One at a time.
MILLER: ...but, you know, when you say oh, she's more electable, that's not what the polls are showing.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Right.
MILLER: The polls are showing Barack Obama pulling ahead of Hillary Clinton...
SIMPSON: And, Stephanie...
MILLER: They're showing him as more electable against John McCain.
SIMPSON: Stephanie, and how many times...
MILLER: You know, this is what Governor Richardson. This is what Senator, you know, Casey is saying. This is what Senator Leahy is saying. I think there is a consensus forming, Carole. SIMPSON: Stephanie...
MILLER: And it's about what's that's good for the party and the country.
WEINER: Well, let me...
SIMPSON: Stephanie, how many times...
WEINER: Let me...
SIMPSON: ...have the polls been wrong?
MILLER: And, by the way -- by the way, I'm just happy...
KING: One at a time.
MILLER: ...I'm just happy that Ed Schultz and I are not the only ones that are going to be called Clinton bashers. Now Chelsea Clinton will be called a Bill Clinton basher.
(LAUGHTER)
WEINER: Well, let me -- if I could just jump in here. Listen, there is no doubt about it, Barack Obama supporters think he'd be a better president. And I think and Carole thinks that Hillary would be a better president.
Why do we believe that the next 10 states don't deserve to have their voice heard?
We essentially have a popular vote tie, essentially have a delegate vote tie. We essentially -- well, I -- actually, Hillary is winning in the Electoral College.
But the point is these things are essentially tied. Let the voters have their say.
SCHULTZ: So, Congressman, you're saying...
WEINER: This notion...
SCHULTZ: ...there's not going to be any damage at all to the party if this continues on?
WEINER: No. I don't believe -- you know, we always talk about how primaries are divisive. Primaries, more often than not, make our candidates stronger. And we want to hear what sells in Pennsylvania. We want to hear what sells in North Carolina. It will help us in the general election. And what do you say to the...
SCHULTZ: I don't buy that.
WEINER: And what do you say -- I don't understand why Barack Obama has such contempt for voters in those states. SCHULTZ: He has no contempt for them and they don't have any contempt for him either, because he's leading by double digits in the polls in many of those states.
WEINER: Well, let's have the election.
SCHULTZ: Hillary's not going to win South Dakota, Montana. She's not going to win Oregon. She's not going to win North Carolina...
SIMPSON: The little states. The little states.
SCHULTZ: No, they're not.
WEINER: Well, but what's the point?
SCHULTZ: Little states!
WEINER: But this is why we have primaries.
SCHULTZ: That's a good way to unite everybody, Carole.
WEINER: Look, I understand...
SCHULTZ: Call them little states.
KING: One at a time.
WEINER: Listen, I understand our need to have something to talk to during this period between races. But at the end of the day, this is not -- this is a serious business. And I think people in those states, just because they weren't Iowa caucuses, they don't get to decide who should be our next president?
We are not just having a game here to decide who prevails in American gladiators. This is deciding who should be our president. And I think these 10 states should be honored for their participation in the process.
KING: Guys...
WEINER: Record enrollment in Pennsylvania.
Why are those people enrolling?
They want to have a say. So does Hillary Clinton. And we're...
KING: DNC Chairman Howard Dean says he wants the nomination wrapped up by July 1st.
How realistic, Stephanie?
MILLER: Well, you know, even that seems late to me, Larry. But I think that he is also looking at what everybody's looking at, and that's is what's good for the party. And, Congressman, no offense, but you know that Hillary would have to win every state by over 20 points and then still have the superdelegates overturn what the popular will is.
SCHULTZ: Exactly.
MILLER: And so that's what the math is that people are looking at...
WEINER: Well, I just (INAUDIBLE)...
MILLER: ...including Howard Dean, including Harry Reid, including Nancy Pelosi.
WEINER: Listen, I want to remind everyone, a fact here. Either candidate is going to need superdelegates. This notion only Hillary will need them is mythology. The most important thing -- I agree with something said. I agree absolutely, the vote of the people is the most important thing.
So why don't we want to have it?
SCHULTZ: Congressman, if you have the superdelegates overturn the popular vote, there's going to be hell to pay in November. The Democrats...
WEINER: The popular vote?
SCHULTZ: The Democrats have got a great opportunity here. This prolonged fight is going to create a lot of bitterness. It's going to erode resources and there has to be some realism here down the -- if she, if Senator Clinton wins Pennsylvania by 30 points, OK, I'll say I'm wrong. But that's not going to happen. And it hasn't happened anywhere else.
WEINER: How are we going to know who wins the popular vote until we have the other 10 states?
(LAUGHTER)
SIMPSON: And why...
(CROSSTALK)
WEINER: I'm curious about that.
SCHULTZ: So you think she's going to win in North Carolina...
WEINER: How are we going to learn that?
SCHULTZ: You think she's going to win in all those other states?
WEINER: You yourself stipulated...
SIMPSON: I want the process.
WEINER: ...we have to see who wins the popular vote. I agree with you. So let's have the elections.
KING: OK...
SIMPSON: I want the process to play out. The process needs to play out.
WEINER: Well, Carole, is there a price to pay...
SIMPSON: The people need to vote.
WEINER: Is there a price to pay here?
SIMPSON: There is a price to pay because we're having this discussion, with all of you saying that Hillary Clinton ought to drop out of the race. Already this is forming in the public's mind that she's lost already.
WEINER: Well, let me answer the...
SIMPSON: What's the point of voting for her?
WEINER: Is there a price to -- is there a price to pay for people to cast their vote in a Democratic primary?
No. There's no cost to that. There would be a cost if they didn't.
SCHULTZ: So why do you have...
SIMPSON: That's right.
SCHULTZ: ...Howard Dean saying he wants it done by July 1st?
KING: All right...
SCHULTZ: Is he wrong, too?
WEINER: Well, I would say...
(CROSSTALK)
KING: All right, thanks, guys.
SIMPSON: It will be over by then.
WEINER: The primaries will then be over, but we're not at July 1st right now.
KING: OK, Ed Schultz and Carole Simpson will be leaving us now.
Thanks to both of you.
SCHULTZ: You bet.
KING: Stephanie Miller and Anthony Weiner will remain and we'll be joined by Ron Reagan and Reed Dickinson (ph).
Later, we'll meet the senator from Pennsylvania, Bob Casey. Hear from the Pennsylvania Senator who endorsed Barack Obama today. We'll hear from him shortly.
Don't go away. Those nervy naughty Kardashians are getting ready to join us, too. We'll see if they can keep up with me.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Before meeting our new panel members, we'll spend some moments with Senator Bob Casey.
He's in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the Democrat of Pennsylvania, who today endorsed Barack Obama.
As recently as March 5th, Senator, you publicly affirmed your decision to stay neutral.
What happened?
SEN. BOB CASEY (D-PA), FIRST TV INTERVIEW SINCE ENDORSING BARACK OBAMA: Well, Larry, I went through a process a lot of Americans do as voters and I made a decision in my own mind and my own heart to support Barack Obama. I could have very easily remained neutral. But I think once I made up my mind -- I'm a United States senator. I'm elected to make decisions and I decided to support him. And we're going to work very hard in the next four weeks to tell Pennsylvanians his story.
And it's a great American story. He's been an underdog and he's on the side of working families in our state. And we need help.
Our economy has been suffering, just like a lot of places in the country. But we're very confident that he can run a strong campaign from here through the nomination process.
KING: How and when, Senator, did you inform Senator Clinton?
CASEY: We placed a call last night to Senator Clinton. She was traveling and I was, as well, so I missed her last night. And we connected, really, by voice mail today.
But she was very gracious in her voice mail to me this morning, when we missed each other. But I want people to know that no matter what happens in this campaign, no matter who is successful, we're going to unite behind our nominees. And one of the ways that it's going to be very important to come together in this is to have a winning campaign in Pennsylvania.
Larry, you know the numbers as well as anyone. You cannot be elected as a Democrat without winning Pennsylvania in November. So I think whomever is the nominee, I think can win our state and can win the general election.
KING: Senator... CASEY: I think Barack Obama would be the strongest candidate in the general.
KING: Senator Clinton leads in all the polls in Pennsylvania.
Are you taking a risk going against the tide?
CASEY: Well, there's always a risk. But when you believe in something -- and in this case when you believe in someone -- there are very few, if any, public figures that I've ever supported that I believe in as much as I do, Barack Obama. He has, I think, a story that is so unique for American politics. He started a movement that we've never seen in the history of the Democratic Party, I don't think. And he's the kind of person, I think, who can unite the country and unite the world.
I was sitting in my office, Larry, a couple of weeks ago and an ambassador from a European country come in to see me. And he said all over Europe, people are talking about Barack Obama. We hear it all over the world. But we -- I've also heard it in my own family. My daughters and my nieces and nephews, all across the spectrum -- young people, people who were middle-aged, people who are working night and day to just make ends meet, they feel a sense of optimism and hope that I've rarely seen in American politics.
So we've got a lot of work to do, but we're going to support him with all we can.
KING: Your late father had a rocky relationship, to say the least, with Bill Clinton.
Did that have anything to do with your decision?
CASEY: No, Larry. And I know there's been some speculation about that today. But people who say that really don't know what they're talking about.
This was an affirmative vote of confidence in Barack Obama, in his leadership already in this campaign, in his plans and his ideas for the future, but, also, what he's all about.
He's a person who doesn't look back. He's forward in his thinking. He's been focused on the future. And I think that's what we need more of. We don't need to have debates about things that divide us all the time. I think he's been able to bring people together. And I'm looking forward to a bright future with him as our president, because I think he can bring this country together in a way that's just remarkable for an American politician.
KING: Some leading Democrats are asking Hillary to get out of the race.
Do you share that view?
CASEY: I don't think it's my place in this campaign or any campaign to tell candidates what to do. What I'm going to focus on for the next four weeks is Pennsylvania, the voters in our state. Now, the Obama campaign is an underdog campaign now. We're down, as you said, in a lot of the polls.
But I like underdogs, Larry. I grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where people mined coal and worked in factories and fought for us in world wars and had to overcome a lot. And the same is true throughout Pennsylvania. We're a state that has identified with and worked in concert with those who have been underdogs. And we don't mind being in that position.
But I think that's the most important thing in this campaign in Pennsylvania, to talk about the issues that Pennsylvanians care about. People are facing foreclosure on their homes. People are facing the high cost of energy and gasoline and education and health care. That's what this campaign should be about in Pennsylvania. And I think it will be about that. And we're looking forward to a great debate and four weeks of campaigning.
KING: Will it be resolved before Denver?
CASEY: Oh, I hope so, Larry. I think it would be not in the best interests of the party or the country to have a fight that goes all the way to the convention. I would hope that there would be some consensus and the beginnings of unity sometime in June. That would be preferable. But we don't know what will happen. We have to keep -- we have to keep focused on each of these primaries.
I'm just glad that Pennsylvania will play a role, not just in the fall, as it usually does, but in the spring. And this is an important debate for our state. And it will lay the foundation for our nominee in the fall. And I think Senator Obama can do well enough in Pennsylvania -- he may not win the race, but he can do well enough in Pennsylvania to lay a foundation so that if he were to be the nominee and come back in the fall, he can win in Pennsylvania and win the presidency.
Because we can't afford a third Bush term. And that's what Senator McCain has been offering is more of the same -- the same rhetoric on tax cuts for wealthy Americans, the same rhetoric on a never-ending war in Iraq. We cannot afford a third Bush term.
And I think Senator Obama is the one who can bring the change that Americans feel that we must have. And I think he's the one that can bring the kind of new direction that people are looking for.
KING: Thanks, Senator.
We'll be calling on you a lot in the days ahead.
Appreciate your being with us.
CASEY: Thank you, Larry, for your time.
I appreciate it.
KING: Senator Bob Casey, Democrat of Pennsylvania, who endorsed Barack Obama today.
More with our panel after the break.
And waiting in the wings, the Kardashians. They've invited us into their home. You'll get the guest treatment, too. Nothing's off limits. That's ahead next
Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCAIN: It's within our power to make, in our time, another better world than the world we inherited.
CLINTON: When I tell you I'll fight for you, I will get up every day and that's exactly what I will do.
OBAMA: Together, we're going to march this country forward.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Stephanie Miller remains with us, as does Congressman Anthony Weiner. We're joined by Ron Reagan, political commentator, registered independent, hasn't endorsed a candidate. His mother, Nancy, recently endorsed John McCain. He's in Seattle. And here in Los Angeles is Reed Dickens, former White House assistant press secretary to President George W. Bush. He also served as media liaison between the White House and coalition headquarters during Operation Iraqis Freedom.
Is this battle, Reed, helping the Republicans? ?
REED DICKENS, FORMER ASSISTANT WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: I think if it goes on too much longer it will. And interesting number, obviously, the other day about the amount of Democrats willing to vote for Senator McCain. I think if you see that number going any higher, it could start to help Republicans.
I think Senator McCain needs every bonus week he can get to stoke the base and energize the base, because Republicans have what the Democrats had in '04, which is a candidate they settled for. They're not very excited or energized. I think he needs ever week he can get. I think this can't go too much longer.
KING: Ron Reagan, what do you think? Is this helping the Republicans?
RON REAGAN, POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It will, as Reed says, if it goes on too long. Hillary Clinton -- let's be clear here, Hillary Clinton can no longer win the Democratic nomination. But -- but, it's still possible for Barack Obama to be made to lose the nomination, and that's what Hillary is playing for right now. Now, unfortunately for the Democrats, Hillary's last chance is the best case scenario for the Republicans. What they'd like is Hillary and they'd like her damaged. They'd like her to win ugly.
MILLER: Yes, and Larry, can I say what Reed said is true. Based on my callers, Democrats right now are like five-year-olds spinning on their back in the Wal-Mart parking lot, having a little tantrum, going, if he's the nominee, I won't vote for him. If she's the nominee, I won't vote for her. There is that going on with the polls.
KING: The Gore option buzz got louder this week. The former vice president was asked about his possible role in this election by CBS's "60 Minutes." It will air Sunday. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Are they calling you every minute?
AL GORE, FMR. VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Not every minute.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: A lot of pressure.
GORE: We unplugged the phones. I can't say with authority. No, everyone -- they both called and I appreciate that fact.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what about the idea of the honest broker who goes to the two candidates and helps push one or the other of them?
GORE: Kind of a modern --
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Off to so the side?
GORE: -- Boss Tweed?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Except his name would be Al Gore.
GORE: Well, I'm not applying for the job of broker.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Congressman Wiener, is he a possibility?
WIENER: Well, to be honest with you, this is not about Al Gore's vote. It's not about mine or any of the other panelists. It's about those that are he struggling in the middle class in New York and other places around the country. Those people's votes need to be heard. Bob Casey made the argument in the last suggest. He said, if we don't win Pennsylvania, we're not going to win the election. So why would we choose the second strongest candidate there?
That's why this process is so important, because we're going to get a chance to hear what voters have to say. We are a long way from needing Al Gore or anyone else, frankly, to decide this election. We've got to honor the votes of the electorate. And I want to tell you this notion that John McCain's benefiting from this; every single day on the television we're watching two extraordinary candidates talk, and then we get to see John McCain at the tail end of these stories. This is a dynamic that I'm very comfortable with.
We're going the come together as a party behind either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. And either way, we've generated so much excitement, this notion that Barack Obama is generating enormous excitement -- Hillary is only trailing by 1.5 points, so she's obviously doing it as well. It's great for our party.
KING: Reed, what do you make of that?
DICKENS: I think it's good for the country. I think it's good for democracy. In 04, we brought about 20 million new people into the voting process. Republicans brought about 17 million of those. This time, you're seeing the opposite. The Democrats are bringing in a lot of new voters in the process. So I think, in a simple math election, if it's a domestic focus, I think the Democrats have an edge. But we don't know that it's going to be a domestic focus, and I think Senator McCain -- it's not about 24-hour cable.
The whole country is not sitting around, whether we like to think so or not, watching this. What I think it's about is Senator McCain has time to go around and do fund-raising and to meet with party leaders and conservative leaders. I think it does help him a little bit.
KING: A massive turnout means what, Stephanie, if that happens?
MILLER: In Pennsylvania?
KING: All over.
MILLER: It's hard to tell with Rush Limbaugh monkeying with things?
KING: What's he doing?
MILLER: He's telling his listeners to vote for Hillary, to keep this going, to keep the chaos going, because I think they want to run against Hillary, because she has much higher negatives if you look at any poll.
KING: You don't care about your country, vote for senator --
DICKENS: I think if Senator Clinton, she is -- by her staying in -- and I do in the think she's dropping out. This ask a tactical street fight. This is playing into her specialty. And by her staying in, she's slightly increasing her chances at the nomination, but decreasing the chances at the general election. (r)MD+IN¯(r)MDNM¯ And I think, of course, that's a net positive for Republicans.
MILLER: Can I say your interview with Senator Casey -- I officially an Obama supporter. i feel bad for Hillary, because she got the message on the machine. All of us women have gotten. She got, beep, Hillary, this is Bob. You got a great personality, but I'm going with -- and then she left a message back, which I've done too. Hi Bob, it's OK. I hope you're really happy.
KING: Ron Reagan, can Hillary win this?
REAGAN: No, she can't really win it, but she can make Barack Obama lose, maybe. I give it about a 10 percent chance. It's really not so much about how long this takes to get resolved, up to a point. If it went all the way convention in late August, it's way too long. But sometime in June, early July, that will be fine. Hillary doesn't need to drop out now. It's fine for her to go all the way through the primaries.
It's not when it ends, it's how it ends, and it's got to end amicably and cleanly. We can't have any litigation or anything about this, dragging out for months.
DICKENS: If Hillary wins Pennsylvania and a few of these other states, it looks like it will mathematically go to the convention.
REGAN: It will go to the super delegates for sure.
KING: Thank you all very much, guys, illuminating. We'll have you all back a lot. Would you want your life to be a reality show? That's the quick vote right now our website, CNN.com/LarryKing. We've got a special Kardashian web extra, so head to the CNN.com/LarryKing right now. Check it out. We'll be back with the family that has no problem letting the public in on their private lives. The Kardashians when we return.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: Season two of "The Kardashians" is coming April 4th on E! Let's meet them. Left to right is Kim Kardashian. She is keeping up with the Kardashians. Her Kardashians "E! True Hollywood Story" airs April 4th on E!. Kourtney Kardashian, she's in two "Keeping up with the Kardashians," Khloe Kardashians, also in season two. Kris Jenner in season two. And our old buddy, Bruce Jenner, season two, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," the E! True Hollywood story.
The Kardashians let you into their home every week. They invited us to go into the house for Kings' Cribs. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
KIM KARDASHIANS, "THE KARDASHIANS": Hi, Larry, welcome to the Kardashian casa. This is where all of the magic happens.
I'm actually a talented, a talented musician of the family.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK, go play a song.
KI. KARDASHIANS: This is my piano.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That is all the talent we have. Mozart.
KI. KARDASHIANS: I would only share that with Larry.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No King's crib is complete without showing you our ride. Let's go. This is my car that my husband actually won for me playing golf.
Good day on the golf --
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fabulous six iron, that's all I could say.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I love a Range Rover. I think everyone should experience a Range Rover.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's the car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Show them the bedroom.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Where all the fun happens! Where we were all made.
(CROSS TALK)
KI. KARDASHIANS: This is the best picture in the house. It's my dad with my two little sisters when they were little.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Larry! Come to bed with the Kardashians!
Thanks for joining us. Bye!
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bye, honey bunny.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: After seeing the invitation, the Jenners --
BRUCE JENNER, THE "CONSERVATIVE" PARENT: You haven't had an invitation like that in years.
KING: How did this start Bruce, this show?
B. JENNER: Right here. We started looking at a lot of the reality television shows on the air -- and I've done lot of different shows throughout the years. We kind of looked at our family and ours was so much more interesting than, you know, than what was going on a lot of television shows.
KING: Did you take it to the network?
KRIS JENNER, "THE KARDASHIANS": I took it to Ryan, and he thought it was a great idea. Ryan Seacrest; he's our executive producer.
JENNER: By the way, how are your jeans?
KING: They're fine.
JENNER: He wanted me to ask.
KING: He bought it right away?
K JENNER: He took it right away and E! loved it and then Bunah Murray (ph), our production company got on board. We're so lucky to have such a great team. It's all about the team.
KING: You like it, Kim?
KI. KARDASHIANS: We definitely have a good time. I think one of the reasons I was so excited to do a reality show was there are so many stereotypes of what Hollywood kids are like. And we party all night and we shop all day and we have a store called Dash and we work every single day at our clothing store. And I think we were excited for people to see what we're really like. We have jobs.
KING: Do you like it, Courtney?
KOURTNEY KARDASHIANS, "THE KARDASHIANS": I love it. I think it's fun, but it is long days. And during the hard times, it is sometimes, you know, hard to have -- know that cameras are there.
KING: And you, Khloe?
KHLOE KARDASHIAN, "THE KARDASHIANS": I love it. I feel like it's brought us closer together in a way because, you know, before we'd be at the store, then kind of separate and do our own things. But now we're forced to be around each other.
KING: No boys in this family?
KI. KARDASHIAN: We have a brother, Robert.
KING: Is he in the show?
KI KARDASHIAN: Yes, he's 21.
KING: Why didn't you bring him?
KI KARDASHIAN: He's at USC at college right now.
JENNER: I didn't want to let him out of class.
KING: We'll take a break and come back with the Kardashians. It's a wild show on E. Anderson Cooper standing by. He's still here. He will host "AC 360" at the top of the hour. Anderson, what's up.
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Larry, thank you very much. We have breaking news tonight. We're just now learning about new White House plans to take action on the shaky economy. We've got a live report on that coming up.
Also new calls for Hillary Clinton to quit. Senate colleagues, Obama supporters, telling her to end her run for the nomination before she wrecks the Democratic party. Why she believes that she's got the best chance and all the reasons to keep on going. We'll have that. Will the pressure work? Will it backfire?
What about today's new endorsement for Barack Obama. We'll ask CNN's Candy Crowley and Time Magazine's Mark Halperin.
Also tonight, were they racist remarks or just Pennsylvania's outspoken governor telling it like it is. He said Barack Obama may have trouble winning white voters. He's churned up a storm. We'll look at all of that, Larry, at the top of the hour 360.
KING: Something happens every day.
COOPER: It never stops.
KING: Unbelievable. We'll be right back. Anderson Cooper is on at 10:00 Eastern, 7:00 Pacific. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
K JENNER: A lot of people remember my ex-husband, Robert Kardashian, as the attorney in the O.J. Simpson trial. Well, it's coming up on the anniversary of his death. It's been four years. And every year, we get together with the kids and the family and we go to his favorite Armenian restaurant, the Carousel.
Hey, guys.
KI KARDASHIAN: We haven't really gone as a family as a while, so to honor my dad, this is the best place and the best thing that we can do.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Robert Kardashian was a pretty good friend of mine. Here's a clip from his appearance on this show in October of 1995. Watch.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ROBERT KARDASHIAN, OJ SIMPSON TRIAL ATTORNEY: My ex-wife and I have a very good relationship. We have four wonderful children. And I share the children every other week with her, and we've got an excellent relationship. She does believe O.J. is guilty. And I've always said that he was innocent.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KING: Did that change before he died?
K JENNER: I feel like it did, you know. I found a lot of peace and a lot of conversations that we had, you know, that -- I feel like he, you know, at the end of the day, you know, it was sort of, came to agree with Bruce and I.
KING: You knew Nicole, too, right?
K JENNER: Yes, very well. She was one of my dearest friends.
KING: How old were you when your dad died?
KI KARDASHIAN: 23.
KO KARDASHIAN: I was 24. KH KARDASHIAN: 21 or 20.
KING: He's very vivid in your mind, right?
KI KARDASHIAN: Yes, definitely.
KO KARDASHIAN: Definitely.
KING: You must miss him a lot.
KH KARDASHIAN: Every day.
KI KARDASHIAN: Every single day.
KING: Were you jealous of that, Bruce?
B JENNER: No, Robert was a good man. I liked Robert a lot. We actually had a very good relationship and --
K JENNER: You used to play golf together all the time.
B JENNER: We played golf together. I have to admit in Robert's case, a lot of people, because he was on O.J.'s side, he was like the bad guy that helped him get away with something, and the bag and all that. Robert was really a good person. He was great to his kids. He was an extremely good father. And we got along very well together.
KING: All right, do you think that we'll ever resolve this whole O.J. thing? Do you think so?
K JENNER: No. I don't think so. I mean, I think it's kind of, you know, done as far as, you know, except for public opinion. But I think that, you know, he's been tried twice. And, you know, we just -- I just, in my mind, we all have to move on, so we leave it alone.
KING: With did you pose in an intimate way for something on the Internet in.
KI KARDASHIAN: For playboy. ?
KING: yes.
KI KARDASHIAN: Playboy was something that, of course, I was nervous at first about it. But after talking to Hugh Hefner and he told me that my idol, Marilyn Monroe, was on his first cover, it was really inspirational to me. And I thought, you know what, with the support of my sisters and my family, they let me know -- I might not have this body forever.
B JENNER: I voted no, but I got totally out-voted.
KING: What did you vote.
K JENNER: I voted yes.
B JENNER: She wanted to do it with her. KING: What you vote?
KH KARDASHIAN: Whatever makes Kim happy. I didn't think it was anything terrible and I thought it was done really tastefully. So I was supportive of it.
KI KARDASHIAN: I had control over it. You see these stick- skinny models on the covers all the time.
KING: There was an intimate sex tape, though, right? Are you ashamed of that?
KI KARDASHIAN: Of course you're ashamed of that. You know, I have my whole family that is now thrust into this drama, and it's all my fault. I have little sisters that I have to answer to and explain thins to. You know kids hear things at school.
KING: What did you think about it?
B JENNER: I was really ticked off, to be honest with you. It wasn't Kimberly's fault for even doing the video in the first place. It was a very personal thing. It's all about the character of the people you're hanging out with. She sued, won her lawsuit, but unfortunately, once it gets on the Internet, it's kind of gone nowadays. It's a different world, Larry.
KING: You're passed it now?
KI KARDASHIAN: I'm definitely passed it and I'd like to move on from it.
KING: We'll be back with more moments from the Kardashians. Don't forget, this reality series airs on E! The next installment is --
K JENNER: Sunday night.
KING: April 4th. It's year two, right?
B JENNER: It is year two.
KING: We'll be right back. Don't go away.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
KING: All right, give me the rundown, Kris, as to what's happening. There's a show this Sunday and a different show the following Sunday.
K JENNER: This Sunday, March 30th, is one of our episodes and next Sunday, April fourth, will be our "E! True Hollywood Story." Friday? Friday, April 4th.
KING: They're two different things.
K JENNER: That's right. Every Sunday on E! at 10:00 is our show, "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," and the "E! True Hollywood Story: is Friday, April 4th.
KING: Why do you think it's doing so well, Bruce?
B JENNER: It's shocking to me.
KING: You don't believe it.
B JENNER: I've been doing this a long time. Why is it interesting? I think because, you know, the family, it's a loving family. Do we have a lot of drama, are a lot of things happening? Yes there are. But, you now, in the end, it always comes out that we are a strong family, a bonded family, a loving family and we always make up at the end.
KING: Did you have any trepidation, Khloe, about doing a reality show?
KH KARDASHIAN: I personally did. You know, I feel like we're more private at a time, but my mom --
K JENNER: Not anymore.
KH KARDASHIAN: My mom loves attention and positive attention and she was always really for it.
KING: You went along?
KH KARDASHIAN: I went along with it, why not?
KING: What did you feel, Kourtney?
KO KARDASHIAN: I felt like if one person in the family was doing it, we all had to do it. But I was probably the most doubtful, I would say, out of everyone. Just because I'm like a business woman. I like to run my stores and kind of keep to myself. But there was no getting out of it.
KING: People recognize you on the street now?
KO KARDASHIAN: A little bit. I kind of am working a lot in my store, so I'm not really --
KING: Were you in favor, Kim?
KI KARDASHIAN: Yes, I was because I wanted people to see what we were really like, instead of what people thought and different stereotypes. I think it definitely put an end to all that.
KING: Is it booked for any amount of time?
B JENNER: It's finished ten episodes. It's been great. Doing television and everything for so many years, it's just been great working with my entire family. It's been a real fun experience. You know, you do shows on your own and you go and go to work. Here, even though the cameras are there and it's very intrusive, it's been great to watch the kids grow. It's been a lot of fun. KING: You've never had that before have you, in your career?
B JENNER: No, I've never --
KING: Watch them Sunday night and another episode on April 4th. We call that one what?
K JENNER: "E True Hollywood Story."
KING: That's where they do your biography.
B JENNER: That's scary. I'm watching that, Larry. I haven't seen it yet.
KING: That you don't control.
KIM KARDASHIAN: No.
KING: Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner and Bruce Jenner, they are the Kardashians from E! entertainment, produced by our friend Ryan Seacrest.
You can go to our website, CNN.com/LarryKing. There's so much stuff on there. It's unbelievable. Check in with CNN.com/LarryKing. Right now, check in with my man, Anderson Cooper. He will host "AC 360."
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.voxantshop.com
