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The Situation Room
Violence Continues in Iraq as Midterms Near; Nancy Pelosi Could Become First Woman Speaker In U.S. History If Democrats Win House Majority; Duncan Hunter Will Explore Presidential Bid
Aired October 30, 2006 - 16:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Ali, thanks very much.
To our viewers, you're in the SITUATION ROOM, where new pictures and information are arriving all the time. Standing by, CNN reporters across the United States and around the world to bring you today's top stories happening now.
A new level of loss in Iraq eight days before America votes. Will the mounting U.S. death toll take its toll on the president's party? We have some brand new poll numbers on the battle for Congress and the Iraq factor. We're releasing them this hour.
In the showdown over the Senate, Democrats see Pennsylvania as a keystone to reclaiming control. It's 4:00 p.m. in Philadelphia, where a top Republican ally of the president is at risk of losing his job. We'll speak live with Senator Rick Santorum.
And she could become the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives. Is Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi more of an asset to her party's fight for the House, or does her liberal image make her a liability?
I'm Wolf Blitzer at CNN Election Headquarters in New York. You're in the SITUATION ROOM.
We're now in place for one of the most dramatic and potentially decisive midterm elections in recent years, one week and one day from now. CNN and the SITUATION ROOM are America's campaign headquarters. And we'll be right here to follow the final battle and, of course, the election night results.
In these final days until America votes, the violence in Iraq is weighing heavily on some Republican candidates and on the minds of many voters. At least six bombs rocked Baghdad once again today, killing 35 people and wounding nearly 100. The attacks are hitting home for many Americans. As of today, 101 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq this October, the fourth deadliest month since the war began. The total U.S. military death toll now stands at 2,814.
And against the backdrop of bloodshed, the president's National Security Advisor Steven Hadley is in Iraq today meeting with the Prime Minister, Nouri al-Maliki. As Mr. Bush -- as for Mr. Bush, he's campaigning for Republicans in Georgia and Texas. We have some new poll numbers on the president, the battle for Congress, and the fight for Iraq. For that, let's bring in our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider -- Bill.
BILL SCHNEIDER, SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST (on camera): Wolf, all politics is local?
Nonsense. This election is looking more and more like a national referendum, a negative referendum.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(voice-over): In the closing stretch of this campaign, Democrats have a couple of things going for them. One is President Bush. Fifty-eight percent of Americans disapprove of the president's job performance. Democrats are trying to turn that opinion into votes for Democratic candidates. Right now, Democrats have 53 percent of the likely vote across the country. A lot of that Democratic vote is being driven by opposition to President Bush.
MARK PRESTON, CNN POLITICAL EDITOR: For Republicans, it helps them bring sought-after campaign money, money that will help fuel their campaigns. For Democrats, it gives them an opportunity to associate that candidate with Mr. Bush and the Iraq War.
SCHNEIDER: Forty percent of Democratic voters say they are voting to express opposition to the Republican candidate. Less than half as many Republicans say their vote is driven by opposition to the Democrat.
Another factor going for Democrats: enthusiasm. Sixty-five percent of Democrats say they are more enthusiastic than usual about voting this year. That number has gone up in the past month. Fifty- three percent of Republicans say they are more enthusiastic than usual. That number has not gone up.
The issue driving all that negative energy? Iraq. The war remains deeply unpopular.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: Iraq will lead to victory and glory for the United States, for the Iraqis, and for the moderates around the world.
SCHNEIDER: The public is skeptical. Just over half of Americans believe the United States will never accomplish its mission in Iraq. Sixty-two percent are ready to withdraw some or all U.S. troops from Iraq. Sixty-nine percent want to see either major changes or a complete overhaul of U.S. tactics and strategy, something the president seems aware of.
BUSH: The events of the past month have been a serious concern to me, and a serious concern to the American people. Today, I will explain how we're adapting our tactics to help Iraqi government gain control of the security situation.
(END VIDEOTAPE) SCHNEIDER: Democrats are worried about a November surprise. A verdict and possibly a sentence in the Saddam Hussein trial could come before November 7th. But no one knows if that would lead to reconciliation in Iraq, or even more violence and instability -- Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Bill. Thanks very much.
Bill Schneider reporting.
Let's zero in now on the battle for the U.S. Senate. Thirty- three seats are at stake on election day, a third of the Senate. But we're paying close attention to nine races that are high profile or super competitive. They're in New Jersey, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, and Montana.
Democrats need to hold onto the seats they now have, including those in Maryland and New Jersey, and then win six more seats in order to reclaim the control of the U.S. Senate. That's a very, very tall order.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken is standing by in one of those battleground states, Pennsylvania.
But first, let's go to our senior political correspondent, Candy Crowley. She's in Missouri right now with a little bit of a sense of what's going on in that clearly pivotal state -- Candy.
CANDY CROWLEY, SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, it probably shouldn't be surprising to us that here, kind of in the middle of America, we have a race that is split exactly down the middle, 47 percent to 47 percent, according to the "St. Louis Post Dispatch" in a poll this morning. That's between, of course, Senator Jim Talent, the incumbent, and his challenger, Claire McCaskill.
Also notable is the stem cell research initiative that is on the ballot here. The "Post " in its poll found that, in fact, support had fallen, support had not -- Talent and those who oppose the amendment have not gained any ground. They've fallen into the area of undecideds.
The fact is that neither candidate is really sure how the stem cell research initiative will play into their campaigns. Claire McCaskill has embraced the issue. But it also shows in the polling that most Missourians are voting on the economy and on the Iraq War.
A lot of people believe that Jim Talent may, in fact, benefit from the stem cell research flap in recent weeks. As you have seen, Michael J. Fox has come on, given, in fact, a very passionate plea. It has been responded to by the anti-stem cell initiative people, who have put up some local sports heroes who are against the amendment.
What does it all mean? A lot of people believe that what it has done is energized conservatives who might otherwise not come out to vote. So they believe, perhaps, it will help Jim Talent. But right now, 47, 47, Wolf, right down the middle.
BLITZER: It doesn't get much closer than that.
Candy Crowley reporting for us from St. Louis.
Candy, thanks.
A lot more from Candy coming up in the next hour.
Let's move on to the Senate showdown in Pennsylvania. The Republican incumbent, Rick Santorum, fighting for his political survival against the Democratic challenger, Bob Casey. I'll speak with Senator Santorum. That's later this hour.
Right now, let's take a closer look at this clearly critical contest.
Our national correspondent Bob Franken, joining us from downtown Philadelphia -- Bob.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well Wolf, the antidote for the Republicans for declining numbers seems to be higher energy.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. RICK SANTORUM, (R) PENNSYLVANIA: Don't let anybody tell you those polls are right. We're going to win this thing on November 7th.
FRANKEN, (voice over): The latest poll shows Senator Rick Santorum from just under 10 to 16 points behind. But he's the number three ranking Republican in the Senate and important enough that the White House this weekend sent the more popular Bush to campaign for him.
LAURA BUSH, FIRST LADY: And, of course, I'm so proud to stand here with Senator Rick Santorum.
FRANKEN: Santorum presents himself as the bulwark against terrorism and hostile world leaders, the rampart protecting conservative values, combative, but bipartisan, of course.
SANTORUM: Too often this is what it seems like in Washington. But to get things done, you've got to work together.
BOB CASEY, (D) SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: You're going to see a lot of wild, desperate ads from my opponent.
FRANKEN: State Treasurer, Bob Casey, the Democratic challenger, wrestles with the problems of being a favorite, keeping the enthusiasm up, particularly since he too is anti-abortion, much to the consternation of many in his party. For the most part, he's on message, though much lower key than Santorum.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, CASEY CAMPAIGN AD: What happened in Washington? Millions of jobs lost. The largest deficit ever. An arrogant government out of touch.
CASEY: Pennsylvania deserves a senator in step with Pennsylvania.
FRANKEN: And as in so many campaigns at this stage, the candidates have their themes down pat.
CASEY: I'm Bob Casey and I approved this message.
SANTORUM: I'm Rick Santorum and I approved this message.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
FRANKEN (on camera): And, Wolf, what I think we're going to see, or even more than we have, is that the two candidates are really going to go to the mat here.
BLITZER: Good point, Bob. Thanks very much.
Bob Franken, Candy Crowley, Bill Schneider, they are all part of the best political team on television. And remember, for all the latest campaign news at any time, check out the political ticker at CNN.com/ticker.
Jack Cafferty, part of that excellent team as well.
Good to be with you, Jack.
JACK CAFFERTY, CNN ANCHOR: Wolf, nice to have you here in the big city.
BLITZER: Big city.
CAFFERTY: Four hours in the SITUATION ROOM all this week, right?
BLITZER: Can't get enough.
CAFFERTY: I mean, that's just -- it's unbelievable.
October, the fourth deadliest month for the U.S. military in Iraq. So far this month, 101 American soldiers dead. That brings the total U.S. military deaths since the start of the war to 2,814.
Military officials had expressed some hope that the violence might decrease following the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, but that's not looking to be the case for U.S. troops or for Iraqi civilians.
Just today, six bombs went off all across Baghdad, 35 people dead, 100 wounded. Gunmen also attacked a car carrying a Baghdad university professor, killed him. In other parts of the country, suicide bombers and gunmen carried out attacks killing at least 13 people, including policemen and a child and wounding at least 18 more.
So here is the question: How will the escalating death toll of American troops affect the upcoming elections a week from tomorrow? E-mail your thoughts to CaffertyFile@CNN.com, or go to CNN.com/CaffertyFile -- Wolf. BLITZER: You notice there's a clear disconnect, there's a serious strain, in the relationship now developing between the U.S. government and the Iraqi government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. They're not on the same page on a lot of these issues and underscoring that, the president's national security advisor, Stephen Hadley, makes this surprise trip to Baghdad today.
CAFFERTY: Well, one of the reasons for that, I think, as I understand it, is that Nuri al-Maliki is getting most of his support from Muqtada al-Sadr and Mr. al-Sadr, who used to be on the most wanted list of American military forces over there, is probably advising him, look, you know, you're either going to have autonomy as the leader of this country or you're not, and what we don't want is for you to be perceived as a puppet of the Americans. So Maliki is kind of in a tough spot.
BLITZER: He's in a very tough spot, and the relationship is at a critical point right now. We're going to have a lot more on this coming up. Jack, thanks very much, and you're right. Muqtada al-Sadr does control 20 or 30 seats in Parliament that got him that job. We'll have more on this, Jack. Thanks very much.
And coming up, she's leading the Democrats, at least the charge, to try to take back the House of Representatives, which would make her the first woman speaker ever. But will Nancy Pelosi's liberal image be used against her and her party? We're closing in on the '06 elections, but one powerful member of Congress has 2008 on his mind today. Find out why.
Plus, the president now very visible on the campaign trail but will he help or hurt the candidates he's campaigning for? I'll ask Paul Begala and J.C. Watts in today's "Strategy Session."
I'm Wolf Blitzer in CNN election headquarters in New York, and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to CNN's election headquarters in New York. I'm Wolf Blitzer. We're in THE SITUATION ROOM, and our Zain Verjee is joining us right now for a closer look at some other stories making news.
Hi, Zain.
ZAIN VERJEE, CNN ANCHOR: Hi, Wolf.
On their next trip to KFC, Americans may be thinking original recipe chicken, hold the transfat. KFC today announced that it is phasing out artificial transfat in many of its chicken products and other menu items, but KFC says that its popular biscuits won't be subject to the transfat ban, at least until they find a good alternative. KFC says it hopes to be using zero transfat soybean oil system-wide in the U.S. by early next year.
In California, a threat that once seemed unbeatable and unstoppable has now been tamed. That out of control wildfire that killed four firefighters is now 90 percent contained and officials say that it could be completely contained by tonight. The fire, about 90 miles east of Los Angeles, burned about 40,000 acres, destroyed 34 homes and authorities believe that it was an act of arson.
For a country where terrorists are always seeking more weapons, it's especially alarming. In Iraq, thousands of small arms weapons are missing. That's according to a U.S. weapons report. It says that semiautomatic pistols, assault rifles, heavy machine guns and other weapons were intended for Iraqi security forces. The report also says not enough spare parts or repair manuals for many of the weapons have been ordered.
And in Saddam Hussein's trial, chief defense lawyer walks out of court. The lawyer is protesting the judge's denial of his list of demands. Meanwhile, Hussein and seven other co-defendants are also awaiting a verdict from an earlier trial. That verdict could come on Sunday.
Hussein and his lawyers both wrote letters accusing President Bush of scheduling that to influence Tuesday's midterm elections, but U.S. ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad denies that.
Back to you in New York, Wolf. I feel lonely without everyone here.
BLITZER: You'll be up here soon, Zain. Thanks very much. Zain Verjee reporting from Washington.
If Democrats win control of the House one week from tomorrow, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi is in line to move up to the top job. That would be the speaker of the House. She would be the first woman speaker. Some Republicans charge she would put a very liberal stamp on the next Congress.
Our congressional correspondent Andrea Koppel is standing by with a profile of Nancy Pelosi -- Andrea.
ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, Nancy Pelosi likes to describe herself as a mother and a grandmother, a serious chocaholic who often eats expensive Ghiradelli chocolates for breakfast. But those who now her best say Pelosi isn't your average grandmother. She is a battle-hardened politician who dishes out as good as she gets.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KOPPEL (voice-over): In the home stretch before congressional midterms, Nancy Pelosi isn't wasting a single minute.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They picked up our statement on nonprescription drugs.
REP. NANCY PELOSI (D-CA), MINORITY LEADER: Hi, how are you?
KOPPEL: Busy campaigning in at least 18 states since August, a single-minded mission to put Democrats back in control of the House, and become the first woman speaker in U.S. history.
PELOSI: Maybe it takes a woman to clean house.
KOPPEL (on camera): So it kind of has a sexist undertone to it.
PELOSI: It does.
KOPPEL: Is that deliberate?
PELOSI: Well, it is, because the fact is that a woman represents what's new in politics at the top of power.
KOPPEL: How is that?
PELOSI: Because it's never happened before.
KOPPEL (voice-over): Republicans have labeled her a "latte liberal from San Francisco," and in one ad after another, are using the prospect of Pelosi as speaker to try to scare voters.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Will Brad Ellsworth vote for liberal Democrat Nancy Pelosi?
KOPPEL: The 10-term California Democrat takes the criticism in stride.
PELOSI: This is not for the faint of heart. You put yourself in the arena, you go into the ring, you have to be ready to take your hits.
KOPPEL: But privately, even some Democrats worry that handing the gavel to a San Francisco firebrand like Pelosi could end up painting all Democrats with the same liberal brush.
Republicans also warn a Democratic majority could mean endless and frivolous investigations of the Bush administration.
KOPPEL (on camera): Well, I mean, you said that you would have subpoena power.
PELOSI: Of course, we'll have subpoena power and we'll have a constitutional responsibility to have checks and balances and oversight. That's what the Congress does.
KOPPEL (voice-over): Pelosi doesn't try to hide her disdain for President Bush and warns it won't be business as usual.
(on camera): You have yourself described President Bush as being incompetent.
PELOSI: Right.
KOPPEL: As being in denial.
PELOSI: In denial, and dangerous. The president will have to have a different attitude now that he won't have a rubber-stamped Congress.
KOPPEL (voice-over): Now 66-years-old, Pelosi grew up in politics. Her father served in Congress and as mayor of Baltimore. Decades later, after she had raised five children of her own, Pelosi followed in her father's footsteps. Almost 20 years later, she's one of her party's top fundraisers, raking in $100 million in the last four years alone. Friends and colleagues chalk up Pelosi's success to boundless energy and a fierce discipline.
TOM DOWNEY, FORMER DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSMAN: You should never mistake her politeness and fair mindedness for weakness. That's a very big mistake. She's very strong. She doesn't forget. And she's very focused.
PELOSI: Onward!
KOPPEL: Focused like a laser right now on winning the House and the gavel.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KOPPEL: And with that gavel in hand, Pelosi would become the most powerful woman ever to hold elected office in the U.S. government and be second in line to succeed the president. Wolf?
BLITZER: Thanks very much, Andrea Koppel reporting from Capitol Hill.
Up next, Hillary Clinton gets an unlikely endorsement. We're going to tell you who is backing her in today's political radar.
Also, the Vice President Dick Cheney calling my interview with his wife a slap-down. More on what he's saying in a follow-up on that interview, all that coming up right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: On our political radar this Monday, an unusual timed presidential announcement. While most politicians are focusing in on the midterm elections, Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter says he's forming a committee to explore a run for the White House in 2008. Hunter is not a household name, but he's well known in Washington. He's chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee, a position he would lose if Democrats win control of Congress next week. I'll speak with Duncan Hunter about his presidential ambitions in our next hour right here in THE SITUATION ROOM live from CNN's election headquarters.
A somewhat surprising endorsement today for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. The conservative leaning "New York Post" is backing the Democrat, saying her little known Republican opponent isn't a credible alternative. The "Post" opposed her first run for the Senate back in the year 2000, but the "Post's" owner, the media mogul Rupert Murdoch has been developing closer ties with Senator Clinton, even hosting a fundraiser for her in July. A new poll shows Americans are split over same sex marriage. An issue on the ballot in eight states next week, 24 percent of those polls say the government should legalize same sex marriage, 26 percent say they support legalizing civil unions, 45 percent don't approve of either form of sanctioning unions between gay couples.
The actor Michael J. Fox is making personal pitches today for Democratic candidates who support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Fox appeared in Columbus, Ohio today on behalf of the Senate candidate Sherrod Brown. He's also appearing in several TV commercials for several Democrats. The ads drew attention in controversy because the actor who suffers from Parkinson's Disease is visibly shaking. Our new poll shows most Americans, 75 percent have a favorable view of Michael J. Fox and a majority, 54 percent say they support federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. We'll have a live report on this issue and Fox's role in it. That's coming up in our next hour, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
And remember, for the latest campaign news at any time, check out the political ticker. Go to CNN.com/ticker.
Up next, he's the third most powerful Republican in the Senate, but right now, Rick Santorum is fighting for his political life. The senator from Pennsylvania is standing by live. This is an interview you're going to want to see.
Also, the Iraq factor. It's been an incredibly deadly month over there, but how will the violence affect the election back here? I'll ask Paul Begala and J.C. Watts in today's "Strategy Session." Much more of our coverage right after this.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back to THE SITUATION ROOM. I'm Wolf Blitzer, reporting today from CNN election headquarters in New York.
Rick Santorum is the third-ranking Republican in the United States Senate. That could change on Election Day, though. Polls out of Pennsylvania show he's in an uphill fight for reelection against the Democratic state treasurer, Bob Casey. Casey will be a guest here in THE SITUATION ROOM on Friday.
But, right now, we're joined by Senator Rick Santorum, Republican of Pennsylvania.
Senator, thanks very much for coming in.
SEN. RICK SANTORUM (R), PENNSYLVANIA: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Let -- this latest "Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has Bob Casey Jr. at 51 percent, you at 39 percent. Other polls have had anywhere from, what, 9-, 10-, to 15-point spread, all against you.
What's going on? Why are you so far behind in these polls?
SANTORUM: Well, I mean, there have been polls, everything, to be honest with you, in the last week or so, from five to 15.
And, you know, we feel the race is very close. We feel very good. We think we have a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the campaign. And we believe our voters are going to be coming out. I don't think they're measuring the intensity in this race. And, you know, Bob Casey has just simply not run a single positive ad in this campaign.
He's not given any -- any reason why he -- you know, why anybody should vote for him. And the bottom line is, he hasn't really campaigned.
BLITZER: Well...
SANTORUM: He hasn't really done much as a state treasurer. It's sort of been a blah thing.
BLITZER: Is it...
SANTORUM: And I think that's going to lead to a blah thing on Election Day for him.
BLITZER: Is it, Senator, you, or is it President Bush that voters in Pennsylvania are looking at, and saying, you know what, it's time for a change?
SANTORUM: Well, I don't know if they're saying it's time. We will find out on Election Day what they have to say.
We feel very good that -- that we're going to win this election. And I -- you know, the -- polls -- polls are based on intensity of voters. And I think they believe, the pollsters believe Democrats are more intense.
And I can tell you, I just don't believe that's the case here in Pennsylvania. I think we're going to show them on Election Day. And I think we will find that -- that Rick Santorum will be your senator again in -- in seven -- seven or eight more days.
BLITZER: Here is a little clip of one of those ads that Casey is running against you.
Listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, CASEY CAMPAIGN AD)
NARRATOR: A 98 percent voting record with George Bush. So, what is behind all the talk? A record that hurts Pennsylvania.
BOB CASEY (D), PENNSYLVANIA SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: I'm Bob Casey, and I approve this message.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Clearly, he thinks it's to his advantage to show that you are one... SANTORUM: Sure.
BLITZER: ... of the principal allies of the president of the United States, and voters will be turned off by that.
Is that strategy working?
SANTORUM: Well, he's run it almost -- that 98 percent figure I think has been in almost every single ad he's run. So, he obviously believes that, you know, tying me to the president, even though, you know, that 98 percent is based only on 21 percent of the votes I cast.
And, if you look at Senator Specter, he has almost a 90 percent voting record out of that index. So, I -- I don't think it means much. And, if that is your whole campaign, that Rick Santorum is George Bush, I can tell you, the people of Pennsylvania know that they have a United States senator for six years, not just the two more years of the Bush administration.
And they want someone who is going to be a fighter. And that is someone who is not campaigning, not someone who doesn't do the job he's in right now, not someone who doesn't pay attention to the issues and concerns of the people of Pennsylvania.
Just running a negative campaign, I -- in the end, will not work in this state. And I think we're going to show that on Tuesday.
BLITZER: In one of your commercials, you're trying to paint yourself as someone who wants to work with the Democrats, someone who is softer, kindler -- kinder, if you will.
Let -- let's run a little bit of a clip from one of those ads.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, SANTORUM CAMPAIGN AD)
SANTORUM: I'm even working with Hillary Clinton to limit inappropriate material in children's video games, because it makes more sense to wrestle with America's problems than with each other.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: Now, I guess, for someone who has been on, I guess, almost all the other times against Hillary Clinton on a -- a lot of these issues, and it's unusual for you to be bringing her name into this -- into this race.
(LAUGHTER)
SANTORUM: Well, I think, if you see the ad, the whole ad -- I don't know what part you saw there -- but you see it's -- we bring it in humorously. We don't bring it in, in -- and necessarily that seriously.
But it just goes to show you that, you know, when you're a United States senator, you have to work with both sides. And that is how you get things done in -- in -- in Washington. You can't pass a bill in the Senate without bipartisan support. And I think I will -- I will match up my record of legislation. David Brooks, in "The New York Times," laid it out. There's no one who has been out there doing more to help those in need in our society, and frank, those in -- in fact, those in need around the world, more than I have.
And I have done it on a bipartisan basis. I have done the same thing when it comes to issues that are important to Pennsylvania, whether they be open space, or whether they be steel tariffs that we have gotten here in Western Pennsylvania. We have done a lot of things. And we have worked hard. We have delivered for the state.
And that message is getting out. And it's going to be a winning one when we have the polls close at the end of Tuesday.
BLITZER: You wrote a book last year entitled "It Takes a Family." Hillary Clinton wrote a book years ago entitled "It Takes a Village."
In your book, one line sort of jumps out, given this ad. "Her politics of meaning boils down to little more than feel-good rhetoric, masking a radical left agenda."
Clearly...
SANTORUM: Right.
BLITZER: ... a year ago, you were not -- you were not so anxious to align yourself with Hillary. But, now, when you're in trouble, politically, in Pennsylvania, your critics are saying: You know what? I'm going to bring Hillary into this race.
SANTORUM: All -- all I'm trying to do is show that you have to work with people.
Even though I probably disagree with Hillary 90 -- 98 percent of the time, or some large percentage, the fact is, when you have common ground, you have got to reach across and work together. And, you know, I mentioned earlier, Barbara Boxer, I mean, we have gone toe to toe on so many issues on the floor of the Senate. Yet, on the issue of open space, Barbara and I worked together.
On the issue of Syrian Accountability Act, which was a major piece of foreign policy legislation, we were the two co-sponsors. So -- so, the point is, yes, you can fight and you can stand up for what you believe in, but you also have to learn to work with Dick Durbin on global AIDS, which I have done.
I mean, those are the kinds of things that I think that the mainstream media and -- and -- and my political opponent don't understand. It's -- it's being passionate about what -- what you want to accomplish, but that means also being passionate and working out to get things done. And I get things done.
BLITZER: Rick Santorum is the Republican incumbent senator in Pennsylvania. He has got a tough struggle ahead of him -- eight -- eight more days to go.
Senator, thanks very much for coming in.
SANTORUM: Thank you, Wolf.
BLITZER: And, on Friday, we will speak with his Democratic challenger, Bob Casey. That comes up here in THE SITUATION ROOM on Friday.
Let's get more now on that Pennsylvania Senate race and the latest, most up-to-date online resources from races around the country.
For that, we will bring in our Internet reporter, Abbi Tatton -- Abbi.
ABBI TATTON, CNN INTERNET REPORTER: Well, as CNN reporters fan out across the country, you can see their latest reports at the CNN.com site America Votes 2006. You can click on each of their reporters, like Bob Franken there in Pennsylvania, following the Senate race, and seeing the latest from the ground there, from Bob Franken, along with the latest candidate information from the two candidates there in Pennsylvania, as well as the latest polls just posted, the Temple University/"Philadelphia Inquirer" poll, showing Democratic challenger Bob Casey with a 16-point lead over Senator Rick Santorum.
And it's not just the Senate race in Pennsylvania being followed closely here at CNN.com -- key House races there as well being followed, and broken down on the site, like Pennsylvania's 10th District, Republican incumbent Congressman Don Sherwood trying to keep hold of his seat there, after an embarrassing personal scandal.
You can check out the 2004 election results, as well, at CNN.com. That's there on the site also. And you will see when Congressman Sherwood, running with no Democratic challenger, brought in 93 percent of the vote in 2004 -- the latest poll that we have there on CNN.com putting Congressman Sherwood nine points behind his Democratic challenger, Chris Carney.
And all of this is on the site.
And, of course, Wolf, this is where the very latest returns are going to be coming in on election night -- back to you, Wolf.
BLITZER: All right, Abbi, thank you.
And coming up: Democrats fighting to win control of the Congress are adopting an unofficial motto. Here it is. Go west.
Our Jeff Greenfield standing by -- he will explore the changing political landscape in that part of the country.
And in our next hour: Senator George Allen has been fighting off charges of being racially insensitive, or worse. Will that deprive the Virginia Republican of African-American votes he's likely to need to stay in office?
We're live at CNN's election headquarters in New York, and you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
The midterm election next week may be a political watershed, in and of itself, but it's also setting the scene for the 2008 presidential contest and a push by Democrats to turn some red states blue.
Let's bring in our senior analyst, Jeff Greenfield -- Jeff.
JEFF GREENFIELD, CNN SENIOR ANALYST: Wolf, you know, it was about 140 years ago that Horace Greeley, editor of "The New York Tribune," uttered a famous piece of advice to a supplicant. He said, "Go west, young man."
Well, Democrats seem to be heeding that advice, as they look to expand their political base.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD (voice-over): Today, Horace Greeley might be pointing Democrats to the interior West. The Pacific Coast states have been reliably Democratic for the last four elections. And five of the six Senate seats there are now held by Democrats.
But the interior West is very different. These eight states, Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah, have formed a reliable Republican bloc for decades. Since Lyndon Johnson's 1964 landslide, only Bill Clinton has managed to win one of these states in a presidential election.
More typical is the John Kerry total, zero electoral votes out of 44. It's like losing Illinois and Ohio just about every time. And, as recently as 2000, not one of these states had a Democratic governor. But, as "Weekly Standard" writer Matthew Continetti wrote recently, things have changed, and may well change again next week.
Democrats now hold governorships in Arizona, where Janet Napolitano is headed for a likely reelection, in Montana, where Brian Schweitzer won in 2004, in New Mexico, where Bill Richardson seems assured of another term, and, in Wyoming, where Dave Freudenthal is, likewise, a favorite for reelection. And, in Colorado, Democrat Bill Ritter is leading his Republican opponent.
In three of these states, Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico, Democrats also hold the state legislatures. They hold Senate seats in New Mexico, Colorado, Montana, and Nevada, Democratic Senator Leader Harry Reid's home state. And they have a better-than-even chance of picking up the other Montana seat, where Jon Tester is challenging Senator Conrad Burns.
In the House, Democrats now have eight seats, compared to only four a decade ago, and have a shot at three or four more.
Why this success? Well, for one thing, Western Democrats aren't big on the cultural liberal issues. Many support gun owners' rights. Some, like Senator Harry Reid, are pro-life. For another, the West tends to tilt more libertarian than other regions. It was Arizona Senator Barry Goldwater, for instance, who went to war against the growing influence of the religious right.
And consider the official tourist slogan of Nevada's biggest city.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Hi. I'm Ginger (ph).
GREENFIELD: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
There is long-term political significance to their shift. As University of Maryland professor Tom Schaller argues in a new book, "Whistling Past Dixie," if Democrats can stake a claim in the West, then, they need worry less about finding political footing in the much more difficult region of the Deep South.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
GREENFIELD: Now, if Democrats do decide that the West is a critical region for them, that could make a big decision when they begin to size up the contenders for 2008, like asking, well, could a senator from New York really compete in the land of the big sky and tall cactus?
And, Wolf, you can tell how serious the Democrats may be about the West, if they decide that Denver is where they go for their convention in 2008, instead of right back here in New York City.
BLITZER: Well, we will see. Denver is a lovely city. I would love to go to Denver.
GREENFIELD: It is. And their -- their summer lasts at least a week-and-a-half.
BLITZER: No, no, no, lovely summers in Colorado. Love Colorado.
Thanks very much...
(LAUGHTER)
GREENFIELD: OK.
BLITZER: ... Jeff.
Up next: Iraq-ing the vote. Will the war hand Democrats the keys to Congress? Paul Begala and J.C. Watts, they're reading to square off on the impact bloody October will have on the November election.
Also: President Bush now making last-ditch pitches for Republican candidates across the country. Will he prop them up or bring them down? We're live at CNN's election headquarters. And you're in THE SITUATION ROOM.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
In our SITUATION ROOM "Strategy Session": more on what Americans think about Iraq, the midterm elections, and President Bush.
Joining us now, our CNN political analysts. J.C. Watts is a former Republican congressman. Paul Begala is a Democratic strategist.
Guys, thanks very much for coming in.
You know, I was surprised, J.C., to see, in this new CNN -- brand-new CNN poll that we have just released this hour, more than half of the American people now believe the United States is not going to win, get its mission accomplished in Iraq, ever. Will the U.S. eventually accomplish its mission in Iraq? Fifty-two percent say no. Forty-five percent say yes.
That's depressing, to think that a majority of Americans now think the United States can't accomplish the mission.
J.C. WATTS, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, Wolf, we -- we talked about this briefly last week.
I -- I think the American people get a little discouraged when, every day, they see the benchmark being the amount of money that we spend in Iraq and the number of Americans' lives -- American lives that's lost. I think most Americans understand that this is a -- this is a big deal. This is a serious war. And it's important that we win.
But what many have been saying all along, what is the strategy to win? The strategy can't be to spend more money and to lose more American lives. And I think those numbers are going to continue to read as you just read them, if -- if that remains the benchmark for what's going on in Iraq.
BLITZER: Is -- is that number encouraging to Democrats? As depressing it is -- as it is overall, Paul, is it encouraging to Democrats eight days out?
PAUL BEGALA, CNN POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, it certainly suggests that the president's attempt to politicize the war has failed.
And this is a tried-and-true tactic for him. It's how he did stunningly well in the midterms of 2002. It's how he won reelection, despite the odds of 2004. But it does suggest that that politicizing of the war has now come back to haunt him, that now voters say, you know, we need a change. We need a new direction.
This is not a vote of no-confidence in our troops. Americans support their troops very, very strongly. It's a vote of no- confidence in the president and in Donald Rumsfeld and in the Republican leadership here in Washington.
WATTS: Well...
BLITZER: Does this very bloody, J.C., October -- more than 100 American military personnel dead in October -- does that translate into November, into the election, as far as the -- the Republicans vs. Democrats are concerned?
WATTS: You know, that -- that, probably, Wolf, will -- will have some impact on many, when that's the drumbeat that we hear on a -- on a daily basis. We never hear about all the good things that's happened in Iraq and all the progress and successes that we have had.
And -- and I think, you know, Wolf, it's important to note, I don't -- I don't believe, again, that the American people are saying that they don't have any confidence in what we're -- or the Iraq issue, that we should not be there.
But I do think they're saying, you know, the tactics -- you know, show us that we can adjust. Prove to us that we can adjust, that we can make the proper adjustments to -- to get the right kind of footing in Iraq. And -- and good, bad, or indifferent, the perception is, is that they don't feel confident in the adjustments that has been made.
And I do think the Democrats have gained some political points.
BLITZER: Let's...
WATTS: One other thought.
BLITZER: Yes.
WATTS: The president has stayed consistent, however, in saying that this is the right thing to do. He's had a conviction about this. I don't believe that it's a political -- political issue for him. I don't think he looks at the polls. He knows, we have got to win in Iraq, but there needs to be some adjustments.
BLITZER: We do see an adjustment on the -- in terms of the president's political strategy in these final days, Paul Begala. He's out at rallies right now, as opposed to closed fund-raisers, getting outside of Washington, going to your home state today of Texas. He was in Georgia.
What do you make of this new, much more visible President Bush on the campaign?
BEGALA: I think it's great. I think it's just terrific.
And I -- I was in -- he -- he's going to Sugar Land, Texas, which is where I grew up. I was there Friday night. Actually, I was in Missouri City, which is the little town next to Sugar Land, where I actually grew up. And the Democrats there were ready to raise the bus fare to pay for Mr. Bush to come.
That he's campaigning in Sugar Land, Texas; and Statesboro, Georgia; Billings, Montana, can you imagine? This means he's a regional candidate now, a regional politician. He's a -- a -- a marginal politician. He's an ideological politician.
Can you imagine if Bill Clinton could only campaign in Santa Monica and Harlem? I mean, come on. He's the president of the United States. He was once at 93 percent. And now he's campaigning places that -- where -- where, you know, he's -- he's not a serious national figure anymore, in terms of the Republican Party.
(CROSSTALK)
WATTS: Well, Paul...
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: The fact is -- the fact is, J.C., that a lot of candidates who are in trouble right now, especially in the Northeast and elsewhere, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, New York, they don't want the president very visible in their districts.
WATTS: But, but, Wolf, you know, go back and look at Bill Clinton.
I -- I -- I differ with Paul a bit. I mean, there was places -- there were places that Bill Clinton couldn't go during the home stretch of his presidency. You know, he couldn't have come to Oklahoma. He couldn't have come to many of the Southern states.
I think the president, the fact that he's trying to rally the base and trying to rally voters in those areas that he thinks that he can make a difference and keep the majority, I think it's a smart thing to do.
I -- I think, you know, all presidents face that. And this president is no different. He's had a lot -- he's -- he's had a boulder that he's had to push uphill in many respects, in fighting the battles that he has got to fight every day, in terms of the war.
BLITZER: -- He's -- he's in Sugar Land. That's Tom DeLay's old district. How is that looking? You were just there, Paul. What is the status of that district? Is it likely to go Democratic?
BEGALA: I think it is, Wolf. And that's a stunning thing.
I mean, for decades now, Tom DeLay has represented that area. It's about the most conservative congressional district in the country. And, yet, because of DeLay's ethical lapses, also because of the strong sense that -- that the country is moving in the wrong direction, I think Nick Lampson, a former congressman from that area, who lost his seat because of Tom DeLay's redistricting, a Democrat, Lampson is going to win.
And it's really quite stunning. I was -- as I say, I was there Friday night. I saw Lampson. And they're just not afraid of President Bush anymore, the Democrats in Fort Bend County, Texas, of all places. So, imagine how they are, as J.C. points out, in some more of the swing districts, in Pennsylvania, and Connecticut, where Mr. Bush is about as popular as, you know, Rush Limbaugh at a meeting of the Michael J. Fox fan club.
(LAUGHTER)
BEGALA: I mean, they just don't like our president in most of the country right now.
BLITZER: All right.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: We got to leave it there.
(CROSSTALK)
BLITZER: J.C., hold your -- hold your fire, J.C.
WATTS: But Tom DeLay...
BLITZER: Hold your fire until the next time.
(LAUGHTER)
BLITZER: Unfortunately, we're totally out of time.
Guys, thank you very much.
BEGALA: Thanks, Wolf.
BLITZER: Paul Begala and J.C. Watts and, as you saw earlier, Jeff Greenfield, they are all part of the best political team on television.
And, remember, for all the latest campaign news at any time, check out our Political Ticker, CNN.com/ticker.
Coming up, one of the biggest questions to be answered on Election Day: How much will the war in Iraq affect the midterm results? Paul and J.C. were just weighing in on that. But, up next, Jack Cafferty is standing by with your e-mail.
Also: former presidential candidate Al Sharpton on the role of race in some very high-profile Senate contests, that's coming up in the next hour, right here in THE SITUATION ROOM.
We're live from CNN election headquarters in New York.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLITZER: Welcome back.
Let's check in with Jack Cafferty. He has got "The Cafferty File." CAFFERTY: Thanks...
BLITZER: Jack.
CAFFERTY: ... Wolf.
One hundred and one American troops dead so far this month in Iraq -- that makes October the fourth deadliest month of the war so far. The question we asked is: How will the escalating death toll of American troops in Iraq affect the elections?
Dave in Florida writes: "I hope the unfortunate death toll in Iraq does have an impact on the voter. Throws the bums out. Bring our men and women in home. Find alternative fuels. And let the Middle East solve its own problems."
Chuck in Warren, Ohio: "The death toll in Iraq is very painful to most of this country. And, when it's linked to no plans to finish the war and bring them home, it will be number one on voters' minds. It's time to clean out all those who put them in harm's way."
James in Euless, Texas: "Republicans say the terrorists want to kill Americans, and claim that no further attacks on American soil is evidence that they're protecting Americans. But, given the escalating casualties in Iraq, it's apparent the terrorists don't have to come to the U.S. to kill Americans. Thanks to Bush, they have many targets right there in Iraq."
Lisa, Tuscaloosa, Alabama: "Jack, Iraq is clearly out of control. Next Tuesday, all of the dim-witted politicians who still support this war should lose their jobs."
And David writes from Canada: "I guess, if you want another 2,900 war deaths, you will reelect. Here in Canada, the mentally ill are not allowed to vote. Down there, you all elect them" -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Jack, thank you very much.
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