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California Candidate Snapshot

Aired September 25, 2003 - 15:23   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.


JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: The five candidates on stage in last night's California debate are the five who are leading the opinion polls. But, remember, there are dozens of recall candidates. And each has his or her reason for joining the race. Among them, a medical doctor who say he's tired of politics as usual.
Here's CNN's Thelma Gutierrez.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RONALD FRIEDMAN, CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: My name is Ronald Friedman. I'm a licensed California physician and candidate for governor.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ron Friedman is a radiologist with his own campaign poster hanging on the door of his practice. Dr. Friedman running as an independent.

FRIEDMAN: You want to just put these on, Lisa?

GUTIERREZ: Though he is a political novice, he says the recall was a perfect chance to jump in.

FRIEDMAN: The bar, so to speak, for getting involved was relatively low.

GUTIERREZ: So this doctor paid his $3,500 filing fee and got on the ballot.

FRIEDMAN: One, two, three.

Over the years, we have slowly slid into a special interest government, because there's so much apathy. People don't vote. Look at the percentages of voters in each election and it's pathetic.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): How much in your campaign fund? And, No. 2, do you really think you can make it for governor?

FRIEDMAN: Well, there's $1,000 in the campaign fund. And given the special interest, no, I don't think I can really win. It's really, at this point in time, a very uphill battle for someone like myself, without huge backing from special interests, to really get anywhere.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): And so, like other lesser-known candidates, Dr. Friedman takes every opportunity to grab airtime to promote his platform. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Special interests. Tell me a little bit how you would tackle those people.

FRIEDMAN: There are so many loopholes, because I believe those in power want to stay in power.

GUTIERREZ: Friedman says he hopes his candidacy will encourage others to seek political office. Has it worked? Some of his medical staff may be thinking about it.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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 September 25, 2003 - 15:23   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
JOHN KING, CNN ANCHOR: The five candidates on stage in last night's California debate are the five who are leading the opinion polls. But, remember, there are dozens of recall candidates. And each has his or her reason for joining the race. Among them, a medical doctor who say he's tired of politics as usual.
Here's CNN's Thelma Gutierrez.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RONALD FRIEDMAN, CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE: My name is Ronald Friedman. I'm a licensed California physician and candidate for governor.

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Ron Friedman is a radiologist with his own campaign poster hanging on the door of his practice. Dr. Friedman running as an independent.

FRIEDMAN: You want to just put these on, Lisa?

GUTIERREZ: Though he is a political novice, he says the recall was a perfect chance to jump in.

FRIEDMAN: The bar, so to speak, for getting involved was relatively low.

GUTIERREZ: So this doctor paid his $3,500 filing fee and got on the ballot.

FRIEDMAN: One, two, three.

Over the years, we have slowly slid into a special interest government, because there's so much apathy. People don't vote. Look at the percentages of voters in each election and it's pathetic.

GUTIERREZ (on camera): How much in your campaign fund? And, No. 2, do you really think you can make it for governor?

FRIEDMAN: Well, there's $1,000 in the campaign fund. And given the special interest, no, I don't think I can really win. It's really, at this point in time, a very uphill battle for someone like myself, without huge backing from special interests, to really get anywhere.

GUTIERREZ (voice-over): And so, like other lesser-known candidates, Dr. Friedman takes every opportunity to grab airtime to promote his platform. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Special interests. Tell me a little bit how you would tackle those people.

FRIEDMAN: There are so many loopholes, because I believe those in power want to stay in power.

GUTIERREZ: Friedman says he hopes his candidacy will encourage others to seek political office. Has it worked? Some of his medical staff may be thinking about it.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com