Election 2000: A Long Night's Journey for Gore
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Well, as we reported at the top of this show, it was a long night's journey into election day for Al Gore. Eugene O'Neill, playwright, would be proud. CNN's John King joins us from Tampa to tell us about Gore's 30- hour marathon. So John, how are you and the candidate holding up?</s>JOHN KING, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Doing just fine, Carol. This is hour 25, approaching hour 26, of Al Gore's 30-hour campaign finale. You might recall -- I certainly hope you recall -- yesterday at this time we were standing in a driving cold rain in Waterloo, Iowa; much more favorable conditions here in Tampa, Florida. The vice president perhaps hoping this is an omen for what lies ahead today. On the final morning of the campaign, Mr. Gore reunited here in Tampa with his running mate, Connecticut Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman. After all this campaigning, the all-night campaigning, a little bit of caffeine in order. Both gentleman into a local bakery for a Cuban coffee, a toast there. Then off to the local Democratic headquarters for a pep rally. The workers there going out to work the polls, knock on doors, make the final phone calls to try to turn out the votes. And as he delivered his pep talk today, the vice president took note of the fact that he was the only major party candidate still out campaigning.</s>VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Well, it's almost 5:30 a.m. Texas time, and George W. Bush is still asleep, and I'm still speaking to people here in Florida.</s>KING: Now, earlier, at a stop in South Beach, Miami, 1:00 a.m. at the oceanside, thousands came out for the vice president, several Hollywood actors on hand as well and actresses, the performer Stevie Wonder. Fireworks at the end of the presentation there. Once again, an effort by the vice president to try to fire up the Democratic troops. Florida's 25 electoral votes critical to both campaigns. The Democrats will tell you they can't see how George Bush could win the White House if he does not win this state. Now, the stops earlier on this marathon: Michigan, Missouri, and as we began yesterday, in Iowa. From here, the vice president, in just a short time, he's doing some local television interviews right now to reach a few more states. Then he heads home to Nashville, Tennessee, then to the family farm in Carthage. He will vote later today, find out late tonight or early tomorrow morning whether he'll get to trade in Air Force Two for Air Force One -- Carol.</s>LIN: Good point. Thanks, John.