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American Morning
Interview With Doug Forrester
Aired October 01, 2002 - 09:14 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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the political world certainly buzzing, given the decision yesterday from Democratic Senator Robert Torricelli, a decision to drop out essentially of the New Jersey Senate race. It could challenge now and will challenge the balance of power in the Senate. That announcement yesterday set off a battle now over who will be on the ballot in November to oppose Republican Doug Forrester. We talk to Mr. Forrester in a moment.
But first, we want to pick up on what's happening on Capitol Hill this morning with Jonathan Karl, who can sort it all out for us.
Jonathan, good morning.
The place is buzzing, I'd imagine, huh? Good to see you again.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unbelievable, Bill. I mean, just think about it, two months ago, New Jersey was a slam dunk for the Democrats. Now, just 35 days from the election, they're scrambling to find another candidate, and even once they find a candidate, they'll face an uphill a legal battle to get that candidate's name on the ballot.
And despite all of that, Democrats here in New Jersey and here in Washington are saying, think they have a better chance of winning now without Bob Torricelli than they did with him, because he was so badly damaged by those ethical problems.
HEMMER: Jonathan, listen to a quick soundbite from yesterday, when the senator addressed members of the media making the announcement.
Here's Robert Torricelli.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ROBERT TORRICELLI (D), NEW JERSEY: Building credibility, so it would stand against those who had none, if they were ever challenged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Jonathan, knowing the polls, had Robert Torricelli, as soon as this past weekend, down about 14 points -- did this surprise many folks in d.c.? Completely out of left field?
KARL: You know, it did, it really did, and the reason is. Torricelli is known as one of the strongest fighters in Democratic politics., a really strong partisan, someone who doesn't walk away from this kind of stuff, and you heard even in that speech, this was guy that refused to acknowledge he received any gifts from David Chang, refused to admit he did anything wrong until the very last minute, and somebody that people thought here was going to fight to the last day.
So it really did come as a shock, even though, in a way, it was politically logical, because they really didn't think he had a chance to win.
HEMMER: The governor in that state of New Jersey is a Democrat, James McGreevey. In fact, he talked to us about two hours ago. Listen to what he said he feels today. His party is in a much better place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JAMES MCGREEVEY (D), NEW JERSEY: I think, actually, Democrats are in a better position this morning than they were yesterday. I mean, Senator Torricelli's campaign was clearly clouded by the ethical debate, and New Jersey's an overwhelmingly Democratic state. Not only did the state go 14 points for Vice President Gore, Democrats are concerned as questions of the environment, questions of choice, questions of our domestic economy, and what we'll be doing is meeting with the state committee persons, as well as county chairs, during these next 36 hours to put forth the strongest potential candidacy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: There it is, a day and a half ahead, Jonathan. Can you portend anything right now?
KARL: Well, you know, their dream candidate was Bill Bradley? He says he's not going to run. But what's interesting here is you hear Governor McGreevey talk about how they're in a better position today. That's because yesterday, they thought it was a completely lost cause. Today, there's a glimmer of hope, but Democrats face a major uphill battle.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jonathan. You've got a busy day, too, there in D.C.
KARL: Democrats and Republicans gearing up for the legal battle that is quite potential right now in New Jersey. Republican challenge Doug Forrester said that decency, fairness and rule of law will trump the Democrat's attempt to make a substitution, especially at this late date.
Doug Forrester is our guest here live in New York City.
Good morning to you. Welcome to AMERICAN MORNING.
DOUG FORRESTER (R), N.J. SENATE CANDIDATE: Good morning. Thank you for having me.
HEMMER: Well, I appreciate it. You're most welcome actually.
It is said now that if Robert Torricelli resigns, which essentially he did not do yesterday, if he resigns then, he's allowed to withdraw from the ballot, then in effect, another name goes on. Is that your understanding as well?
FORRESTER: That isn't our understanding. One of the things that I think people need to realize is this election is already underway. It's true that November 5th is the day when most people vote, but the reason why the law has 51 days in advance as a cutoff for changes on the ballot is because the ballots are printed, they're distributed to armed forces and the people with absentee ballots. Some people have already voted. this is an election in process that is under way.
HEMMER: So you think this is unmovable right now?
FORRESTER: I think it's very important that we look at the significance of what would happen if we would allow a political party, and I don't care which party it is, whether it's Republicans, or Democrats or whoever, to swap out a candidate only because that candidate losing badly, and they fear a loss at the polls. That's not what Democracy is about. This isn't a good thing.
HEMMER: Listen to the governor, again, a few hours ago, talking about equity in the state of New Jersey, giving voters the opportunity to select the person they want in a moment. We'll get to that soundbite in a moment. Do you see this as a case of equity when it comes to folks who are voting in New Jersey?
FORRESTER: Protecting election law is what equity is all about. That's we need to do in New Jersey. Not a good idea after an election started, people have voted, returned absentee ballots, to go and try to swap out a candidate only because that candidate looks like he is going to lose. Not a good idea, not what New Jersey is about. I don't think that's what New Jerseyans want. There was plenty of opportunity for the Democrats to somebody against Mr. Torricelli in the primary. Didn't happen. They had plenty of opportunity for Mr. Torricelli to step aside before the 51-day deadline, didn't happen. Now, just because he's losing, he wants to step aside.
You know very well that if he were even in the polls, or he were ahead in the polls, he wouldn't be stepping aside.
HEMMER: How far then are you willing to fight this? We've already heard from Democrats from New Jersey last night saying they would take it to the state supreme court.
FORRESTER: One thing we to remember is that I'm the one that's been named as a defendant here, along with all Senate candidates, along with all county clerks, along with attorney general. The Democratic state committee in New Jersey has sued just about everybody who walks.
I don't know the facts of their suit. It is clear that they have a very cynical attempt to try to swap out a losing candidate, because they're terrified of losing the seat. That is not what elections supposed to be all about, particularly when the elections have already started.
HEMMER: "New York Times" this morning. I want to read from the editorial today, writing about you and the campaign going forward for the next five weeks. "Such a campaign would force Douglass Forrester, who until now has focused almost entirely on Mr. Torricelli's ethics matters, to start defining himself in terms of other issues."
Does the debate frame differently now? Does it change?
FORRESTER: I believe that the debate doesn't frame differently, but it does gives me an opportunity, I think, to be heard about issues that I've been talking about for nine months now. I entered the race for several reasons. One, is because I believe Mr. Torricelli's conduct was unacceptable for New Jersey, but I've also been talking about national security, protecting the United States. We have to get our intelligence gathering capability up to snuff. We have to make sure that we have a missile defense. We have to have a strong defense budget that retools our military to face 21st century conflicts.
We've been talking about getting more money back for New Jersey. We're last on the list, the bottom of the pile. We have to get money for toxic waste cleanup, transportation, roads, bridges, for Medicare. Those are the things I've been talking about. They've been drowned out, because it always comes down to Mr. Torricelli's misconduct. And I understand; I don't blame anyone for that, but I've been talking consistently for months now. I'm glad now that he's off the table and we can focus on the issues.
HEMMER: Five weeks ago, I think it was 1972, the last time anyone in new jersey elected a Republican for the Senate. You were ahead 14 points. Do you see it shifting now as we move forward with the possibility, again, of being replaced on the ballot?
FORRESTER: Well, I'm focused on November 5th, on bringing the case to New Jersey that I can bring more resources back to New Jersey, represent New Jersey honorably. Those are the kind of things that's I'm focused on, and I trust I'll be a good United States senator, and I want people to vote for me on November 5th.
HEMMER: We shall see where we go legally from here on out. Doug Forrester thank you much.
FORRESTER: Thank you for including me.
HEMMER: Thanks, Bill.
You got it.
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 October 1, 2002 - 09:14 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Well, the political world certainly buzzing, given the decision yesterday from Democratic Senator Robert Torricelli, a decision to drop out essentially of the New Jersey Senate race. It could challenge now and will challenge the balance of power in the Senate. That announcement yesterday set off a battle now over who will be on the ballot in November to oppose Republican Doug Forrester. We talk to Mr. Forrester in a moment.
But first, we want to pick up on what's happening on Capitol Hill this morning with Jonathan Karl, who can sort it all out for us.
Jonathan, good morning.
The place is buzzing, I'd imagine, huh? Good to see you again.
JONATHAN KARL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Unbelievable, Bill. I mean, just think about it, two months ago, New Jersey was a slam dunk for the Democrats. Now, just 35 days from the election, they're scrambling to find another candidate, and even once they find a candidate, they'll face an uphill a legal battle to get that candidate's name on the ballot.
And despite all of that, Democrats here in New Jersey and here in Washington are saying, think they have a better chance of winning now without Bob Torricelli than they did with him, because he was so badly damaged by those ethical problems.
HEMMER: Jonathan, listen to a quick soundbite from yesterday, when the senator addressed members of the media making the announcement.
Here's Robert Torricelli.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. ROBERT TORRICELLI (D), NEW JERSEY: Building credibility, so it would stand against those who had none, if they were ever challenged.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: Jonathan, knowing the polls, had Robert Torricelli, as soon as this past weekend, down about 14 points -- did this surprise many folks in d.c.? Completely out of left field?
KARL: You know, it did, it really did, and the reason is. Torricelli is known as one of the strongest fighters in Democratic politics., a really strong partisan, someone who doesn't walk away from this kind of stuff, and you heard even in that speech, this was guy that refused to acknowledge he received any gifts from David Chang, refused to admit he did anything wrong until the very last minute, and somebody that people thought here was going to fight to the last day.
So it really did come as a shock, even though, in a way, it was politically logical, because they really didn't think he had a chance to win.
HEMMER: The governor in that state of New Jersey is a Democrat, James McGreevey. In fact, he talked to us about two hours ago. Listen to what he said he feels today. His party is in a much better place.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
GOV. JAMES MCGREEVEY (D), NEW JERSEY: I think, actually, Democrats are in a better position this morning than they were yesterday. I mean, Senator Torricelli's campaign was clearly clouded by the ethical debate, and New Jersey's an overwhelmingly Democratic state. Not only did the state go 14 points for Vice President Gore, Democrats are concerned as questions of the environment, questions of choice, questions of our domestic economy, and what we'll be doing is meeting with the state committee persons, as well as county chairs, during these next 36 hours to put forth the strongest potential candidacy.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HEMMER: There it is, a day and a half ahead, Jonathan. Can you portend anything right now?
KARL: Well, you know, their dream candidate was Bill Bradley? He says he's not going to run. But what's interesting here is you hear Governor McGreevey talk about how they're in a better position today. That's because yesterday, they thought it was a completely lost cause. Today, there's a glimmer of hope, but Democrats face a major uphill battle.
HEMMER: Thank you, Jonathan. You've got a busy day, too, there in D.C.
KARL: Democrats and Republicans gearing up for the legal battle that is quite potential right now in New Jersey. Republican challenge Doug Forrester said that decency, fairness and rule of law will trump the Democrat's attempt to make a substitution, especially at this late date.
Doug Forrester is our guest here live in New York City.
Good morning to you. Welcome to AMERICAN MORNING.
DOUG FORRESTER (R), N.J. SENATE CANDIDATE: Good morning. Thank you for having me.
HEMMER: Well, I appreciate it. You're most welcome actually.
It is said now that if Robert Torricelli resigns, which essentially he did not do yesterday, if he resigns then, he's allowed to withdraw from the ballot, then in effect, another name goes on. Is that your understanding as well?
FORRESTER: That isn't our understanding. One of the things that I think people need to realize is this election is already underway. It's true that November 5th is the day when most people vote, but the reason why the law has 51 days in advance as a cutoff for changes on the ballot is because the ballots are printed, they're distributed to armed forces and the people with absentee ballots. Some people have already voted. this is an election in process that is under way.
HEMMER: So you think this is unmovable right now?
FORRESTER: I think it's very important that we look at the significance of what would happen if we would allow a political party, and I don't care which party it is, whether it's Republicans, or Democrats or whoever, to swap out a candidate only because that candidate losing badly, and they fear a loss at the polls. That's not what Democracy is about. This isn't a good thing.
HEMMER: Listen to the governor, again, a few hours ago, talking about equity in the state of New Jersey, giving voters the opportunity to select the person they want in a moment. We'll get to that soundbite in a moment. Do you see this as a case of equity when it comes to folks who are voting in New Jersey?
FORRESTER: Protecting election law is what equity is all about. That's we need to do in New Jersey. Not a good idea after an election started, people have voted, returned absentee ballots, to go and try to swap out a candidate only because that candidate looks like he is going to lose. Not a good idea, not what New Jersey is about. I don't think that's what New Jerseyans want. There was plenty of opportunity for the Democrats to somebody against Mr. Torricelli in the primary. Didn't happen. They had plenty of opportunity for Mr. Torricelli to step aside before the 51-day deadline, didn't happen. Now, just because he's losing, he wants to step aside.
You know very well that if he were even in the polls, or he were ahead in the polls, he wouldn't be stepping aside.
HEMMER: How far then are you willing to fight this? We've already heard from Democrats from New Jersey last night saying they would take it to the state supreme court.
FORRESTER: One thing we to remember is that I'm the one that's been named as a defendant here, along with all Senate candidates, along with all county clerks, along with attorney general. The Democratic state committee in New Jersey has sued just about everybody who walks.
I don't know the facts of their suit. It is clear that they have a very cynical attempt to try to swap out a losing candidate, because they're terrified of losing the seat. That is not what elections supposed to be all about, particularly when the elections have already started.
HEMMER: "New York Times" this morning. I want to read from the editorial today, writing about you and the campaign going forward for the next five weeks. "Such a campaign would force Douglass Forrester, who until now has focused almost entirely on Mr. Torricelli's ethics matters, to start defining himself in terms of other issues."
Does the debate frame differently now? Does it change?
FORRESTER: I believe that the debate doesn't frame differently, but it does gives me an opportunity, I think, to be heard about issues that I've been talking about for nine months now. I entered the race for several reasons. One, is because I believe Mr. Torricelli's conduct was unacceptable for New Jersey, but I've also been talking about national security, protecting the United States. We have to get our intelligence gathering capability up to snuff. We have to make sure that we have a missile defense. We have to have a strong defense budget that retools our military to face 21st century conflicts.
We've been talking about getting more money back for New Jersey. We're last on the list, the bottom of the pile. We have to get money for toxic waste cleanup, transportation, roads, bridges, for Medicare. Those are the things I've been talking about. They've been drowned out, because it always comes down to Mr. Torricelli's misconduct. And I understand; I don't blame anyone for that, but I've been talking consistently for months now. I'm glad now that he's off the table and we can focus on the issues.
HEMMER: Five weeks ago, I think it was 1972, the last time anyone in new jersey elected a Republican for the Senate. You were ahead 14 points. Do you see it shifting now as we move forward with the possibility, again, of being replaced on the ballot?
FORRESTER: Well, I'm focused on November 5th, on bringing the case to New Jersey that I can bring more resources back to New Jersey, represent New Jersey honorably. Those are the kind of things that's I'm focused on, and I trust I'll be a good United States senator, and I want people to vote for me on November 5th.
HEMMER: We shall see where we go legally from here on out. Doug Forrester thank you much.
FORRESTER: Thank you for including me.
HEMMER: Thanks, Bill.
You got it.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
