Return to Transcripts main page
Live From...
In Final Days Before Election, Voter Courtship Intense
Aired November 01, 2002 - 13:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: In Minnesota, it's just a red hot Senate race between Norm Coleman and now Walter Mondale. And some Republican heavy hitters are converging on that Gopher State to help Coleman.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is there, and I imagine it's going to be one busy weekend politically -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is the only weekend, as you know, Martin. The final weekend was about all there was to the campaign. It's been just a week since Paul Wellstone died in his plane crash, and in that week, we've seen Walter Mondale, who last ran for political office in 1984, out running again, doing all the things he did back 18 years ago, retail politicking, shaking hands, holding news conferences. All that type trying to revive a career that he had long since distanced himself from. But he's come back to answer the call of the Democratic Party, saying his experience as vice president, et cetera is a very strong plus. And of course, that experience, the word that is used by Republicans, is the word age. Mondale is 74. The Republican opponent at 53 is the youngster here in this particular race.
But he also says that he is the candidate who can deal with the future issues.
And Norm Coleman is out there, as you pointed out. Many of the heavy hitters of the Republican Party coming to reinforce his campaign, to try to get him to overtake Mondale. The heavy hitters include the vice president Dick Cheney, who is in today, first lady Laura Bush tomorrow. Sunday, President Bush. Down to the wire as one might have expected, but the two runners, of course, have quite changed since the race was originally set up -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Bob, because of all this turmoil, what do you think the likelihood is this election will end up in a courtroom somewhere?
FRANKEN: Well, it's always possible. It seems so many of them do these days. It's already been in court with the dispute over absentee ballots. But in Minnesota, they are stoic in their way, civilized in their way, and it's entirely possible, given the differences between this state and say a place like Florida, which is a little bit more wide open, they might just settle things in the traditional way.
SAVIDGE: Absentee ballot issue, I understand you get one if you request it. Is there time to fill it out and get it back? FRANKEN: Well, that's the big question. The Democrats got a partial victory but is it practical that those who vote absentee usually some place away will have time to get the ballot, mail it back. Party officials say, if you really believe in this, get that ballot, and use some form of express mail to get it back in a big hurry.
SAVIDGE: Bob Franken, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired November 1, 2002 - 13:07 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: In Minnesota, it's just a red hot Senate race between Norm Coleman and now Walter Mondale. And some Republican heavy hitters are converging on that Gopher State to help Coleman.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is there, and I imagine it's going to be one busy weekend politically -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, this is the only weekend, as you know, Martin. The final weekend was about all there was to the campaign. It's been just a week since Paul Wellstone died in his plane crash, and in that week, we've seen Walter Mondale, who last ran for political office in 1984, out running again, doing all the things he did back 18 years ago, retail politicking, shaking hands, holding news conferences. All that type trying to revive a career that he had long since distanced himself from. But he's come back to answer the call of the Democratic Party, saying his experience as vice president, et cetera is a very strong plus. And of course, that experience, the word that is used by Republicans, is the word age. Mondale is 74. The Republican opponent at 53 is the youngster here in this particular race.
But he also says that he is the candidate who can deal with the future issues.
And Norm Coleman is out there, as you pointed out. Many of the heavy hitters of the Republican Party coming to reinforce his campaign, to try to get him to overtake Mondale. The heavy hitters include the vice president Dick Cheney, who is in today, first lady Laura Bush tomorrow. Sunday, President Bush. Down to the wire as one might have expected, but the two runners, of course, have quite changed since the race was originally set up -- Martin.
SAVIDGE: Bob, because of all this turmoil, what do you think the likelihood is this election will end up in a courtroom somewhere?
FRANKEN: Well, it's always possible. It seems so many of them do these days. It's already been in court with the dispute over absentee ballots. But in Minnesota, they are stoic in their way, civilized in their way, and it's entirely possible, given the differences between this state and say a place like Florida, which is a little bit more wide open, they might just settle things in the traditional way.
SAVIDGE: Absentee ballot issue, I understand you get one if you request it. Is there time to fill it out and get it back? FRANKEN: Well, that's the big question. The Democrats got a partial victory but is it practical that those who vote absentee usually some place away will have time to get the ballot, mail it back. Party officials say, if you really believe in this, get that ballot, and use some form of express mail to get it back in a big hurry.
SAVIDGE: Bob Franken, thanks very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
