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Discrepancies in Florida Primary Vote

Aired September 12, 2002 - 14:25   ET

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

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In Florida, we're still waiting for official results of the Democratic primary in the governor's race. That is the extremely tight contest that pit newcomer Bill McBride against former Attorney General Janet Reno. Voting in Florida was marred by glitches, reminding some of us, many of us, of the 2000 presidential election.
CNN's John Zarrella joins us more from Miami.

Reminds us both, John, of that wonderful time in our career.

JOHN ZARRELLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I still get shakes when I think about that.

You know, many people went to the polls in Florida a couple days ago, and they probably thought they were at the bank, because the polls opened late and they closed early. And today, because of some of those things, we still don't know who is going to face Jeb Bush in November on the Democratic side, because Bill McBride, who appeared to be way behind, double digits behind, Janet Reno just a month ago, a real longshot, came out of nowhere, overtook Janet Reno, and now has a slim lead of, oh, about 8,000 votes over Janet Reno.

But Janet Reno has not conceded. We are not sure whether she will concede, because much of the fiasco that took place two days ago took place in her stronghold, in the counties of Miami-Dade and in Broward, where polls didn't open up on time. Some opened as late as 4:00 in the afternoon. Poll workers didn't show up. They couldn't get machines to start.

And both Florida's secretary of state and the governor expressed their profound displeasure.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JIM SMITH, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: Two counties, get F minus minus minus -- totally unacceptable.

GOV. JEB BUSH (R), FLORIDA: It is just unconscionable that two of the most prosperous counties in this state seem not to be able to run an election.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ZARRELLA: The governor also made it very clear, during that same press event there, that he would not be disappointed if the supervisor of elections in Broward County and the supervisor of elections in Miami-Dade were replaced. At this point, though, both of those people have not said anything but that they are going to continue on with their efforts to get through this and get ready for November.

What is perfectly clear, though, Kyra, from all of this is that come November, the eyes of the nation will once again be on Florida to see if the state can finally get an election right -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: We'll be on edge of our seats.

John Zarrella, from Miami. Thanks, John.

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