A modest summary of 2004 primary coverage.\nWolf Blitzer: And welcome back to CNN for our very special America Votes 2004 primary election night. Stay tuned all night -- literally, all night -- for CNN's election coverage. We'll have rambling commentaries, outlandish suggestions and interviews with candidates who think fourth place is a "strong comeback." Plus, we'll use harsh electric currents to keep Larry King awake. But now, I am joined by senior political analysts Judy Woodruff and Jeff Greenfield -- actual warm bodies I can talk to, instead of a cold camera lens ... No offense to my camera operator.\nJudy and Jeff: Thanks, Wolf.\nWolf: Let's begin with you, Judy. What's at stake tonight?\nJudy: Well Wolf, there are primaries and caucuses in seven states at stake. And, as all of our viewers know, seven equals one less than eight, but is still one more than six.\nJeff: But it's more than just states at stake here. It's the delegates. It's all about the delegates in this delegate game. So to win, candidates need delegates. We would be remiss if we didn't remind our viewers the delegates are, after all, the delegates.\nWolf: Jeff, I hate to cut you off, but we have late breaking news -- actual votes coming in. With nearly 1 percent of precincts reporting, CNN is prepared to call Sen. John Edwards the winner of the South Carolina primary. Jeff, what does this mean?\nJeff: Wolf, it clearly means the handsome John Edwards is not ready to concede and become front-runner John Kerry's running mate, as we, the media have almost BEGGED him to do.\nJudy: That's right. At this time, I'd ask our viewers to follow the swaying watch on your television screen. Kerry-Edwards … Kerry-Edwards … Kerryyy-Edwaaardsss … \nWolf: Judy, I hate to cut you off there, but CNN political analyst Paul Begala is reporting live in Columbia, S.C. Paul, what do you make of all of this?\nPaul: Wolf, I tell ya, this is …\nWolf: Paul, I hate to cut you off there, but even though there are still 53 minutes until the polls close in Missouri, CNN is prepared to project John Kerry the winner of Missouri. Jeff, explain for our viewers how we can do this.\nJeff: Well viewers, we can do this by the exit polls. They're unreliable surveys big media outlets give voters as they leave voting sites so we have something to talk about for five hours of election coverage. Also, we really want to say it before the other networks. Up yours, Fox News!\nJudy: Ha ha, we clearly learned nothing from the 2000 election, Wolf.\nWolf: Thanks for that. Paul Begala, what do you think Wes Clark or Howard Dean need to do to clinch this nomination?\nPaul: Short of an endorsement from the second coming of Christ, Wolf, I really can't say.\nWolf: Thanks, Paul. Jeff Greenfield now has news Sen. Joe Lieberman will drop out if he doesn't win the very small, yet supposedly important state of Delaware. Lieberman poured hours of labor and spent thousands of dollars there, and it'd sure be a shame if he didn't win. All of that aside, CNN is now confident to project John Kerry the winner of the Delaware primary.\nJeff: Look Wolf, Lieberman's a good guy who was viciously stabbed in the back when Al Gore endorsed Dean. His concession will be the equivalent of shooting a rabid dog -- it's sort of sad, but we know it has to be done.\nWolf: Thanks, Jeff. We'll be regurgitating everything we've said so far about the primary elections for seven more hours, so stay tuned to CNN for our special coverage of America Votes 2004.
This is CNN?
Get stories like this in your inbox
Subscribe



