January 1, 2008
Posted: 01:00 PM ET
Catch Ballot Bowl all day on CNN.

Catch Ballot Bowl all day on CNN.

(CNN) — With just days for Thursday's Iowa caucuses, CNN takes an unfiltered look at each of the presidential candidates in the first New Year's Day Ballot Bowl.

Starting this week, the candidates are entering a five-week spring that will likely decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees.

After the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire will hold the the nation's first primary just five days later on January 8. Michigan will hold it's primaries on January 15.

Full story

Filed under: Ballot Bowl


Betty Haak   January 27th, 2008 1:58 pm ET

CNN seems to be biased in favor of Clinton over Obama in their coverage. We have noticed that stories show Hilary and Bill and one Obama. Also certain, reporters remarks are over the top for Hilary.

There is no outrage that Clinton related Obama's win SC to Jessie Jackson. I am an independent, who would never vote for Jessie Jackson, but will vote for Obama. I am outraged that Clinton is trying to marginalize a candidate who is not a divider.

Is there something your viewers should know about the heads of news rooms? Will you publish the party and the contributions in past congressional and presidential races of your reporters.

If this is not addressed all news outlets will lose all creditility

l jones   January 12th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

I WOULD REALLY LIKE SOMEONE WHO IS HOLDING A TV QUESTION AND ANSWER PROGRAM A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION THAT NO ONE WANTS TO ANSWER. ALL OF THEM SAYS THAT THE BORDER HAS TO GET UNDER CONTROL. A FENCE, MORE PERSONNEL. THEY DONT SAY HOW.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT WILL THEY DO WITH THE 2600 MILES OF A 4 LANE HIWAY ALONG CANADA AND MEXICAN BORDER. , THE BILL IS
i-69 . IT ALSO INCLUDES A DIRECT RAILROAD FROM MEXICO TO KANSAS CITY, MO TELL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE TRUTH ON HOW TO PROTECT OUR ILLEGALS ENTERING THE MEXICAN BORDER WITH THIS BILL THAT GIVES THEM ANOTHER WAY TO COME HERE ILLEGALLY.

P. F.   January 6th, 2008 2:10 pm ET

I believe like a women that america is not prepared for a women president. If a women is elected, then the traditional american family structure would be lost. Also, femanist will use this in a negative way.

P. F.   January 6th, 2008 1:54 pm ET

Dear american people this is the thoughts of a Mexican person who lives more in this world and observes the lower income life styles of america. What I am about to say is not intented to be racist or offensive to other people.Though, my thoughts are that if Obama is the canidate for the black community, there will be a huge controversy in the U.S. As everybody knows that having experienced reverse racism with members of the black community, nothing good can come of his election to president. Let me explain why. As the years have passed since the horrible times of slavery, the black community has experienced many tough times. The more that time passes the more the build up of hatred and anger is growing toward what had happened to that community. I have noticed that the people have increased their negative attitude toward everybody who is not of that community. The continual growth of arrogance is incresing. I have seen that the people of this community have a huge chip on their shoulders when they act as if they are better than everybody else and that everybody else owes them something. Let me just say that if obama is elected then the arrogance will increase and we as other communities will have that shoved in our faces.

Alejandro Sanchez   January 5th, 2008 7:38 pm ET

When did contrasting public records during an election become negative, nasty, mean, etc? McCain, Huckabee, Obama and the Main Stream Media(including CNN) are attempting to defraud the American public by running away from their records and deviously stating "they are above such and won't play that game" Of course they refuse to debate or answer for their positions on important issues (immigration, taxes, etc.), because they believe in "government against the people". They are saying "I'm going to ignore the people's stated desires because I know what's best for you". This is frightening and if you check their records, it is exactly what McCain, Huckabee, Obama and the MSM are all guilty of.

Marsha Schlesinger   January 5th, 2008 4:02 pm ET

I need the ballot bowl to cover all the candidates equally. Just because a candidate is lower in the polls doesn't mean that they won't get higher. Look at Huckabee! I'd like them to cover on the Republican side today: Thompson, Hunter, and Paul as well. On the Democratic side: Bill Richardson, etc.
I just want them to be equal but I do appreciate their coverage.

Maeve   January 2nd, 2008 7:16 am ET

Heads Up, Folks!

The media, including CNN, deperately WANT Obama and Huckabee wins to be the top stories at the close of the Iowa caucases.

The media are guilty of trying…again…to urge people to vote the way that will make their dream stories come true, by slanting their coverage: choosing photos and placing photos in complimentary or less complimentary way son front pages and politcal pages, allowing longer film footage of certain candidates and cutting off footage of others, disregarding some poll numbers while emphasizing those that have it going the way that make their hopes seem more plausible, etc. etc. They are not "covering the news"; they are MAKING the news!

If you are relying on the media to get an accurate assessment of the candidates or what is happening in the primary process, you're getting dragged around by the nose.

connie floyd, crockett,texas   January 2nd, 2008 12:22 am ET

Devon, what are you a republican, you can't know what they did in Arkansas because you apparently cant read

connie floyd, crockett,texas   January 2nd, 2008 12:20 am ET

i agree with sugarland, texas, iowa and new hampshire independent young voters, don't be naive. the republicans are going to eat him alive. you had better not waste your vote, we need the presidency this time.
you all are stupid if you think that they love him. they dont. You are being patsied.
HILLARY 08′

Mrs. America   January 2nd, 2008 12:01 am ET

I watched all seven hours, even though it meant starting at 7 a.m. in my time zone. Thank you for the coverage. Excellent, excellent.

Ajay Jain   January 1st, 2008 10:35 pm ET

Congratulations CNN TV!!!

By running the "I-Report hour long segment" 10 times in a weekend and New Year Eve, and New Year day. You have shown me the light of the day. Cable has repetition but you have crossed the LIMIT!

I have discovered my options in FOX NEWS, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC, ABC News, and CBS News.

Bye bye CNN I have been watching you and reading CNN.com for the past decade since you were the TURNER machine.

People, pollsters, pundits give undue importance to the IOWA caucus anyway. Isn’t it time to break the back of this myth of IOWA’s importance? They haven’t picked a winner since 1976. I will wait for Super Tuesday on FOX NEWS though I know they are not FAIR & BALANCED! The most powerful name in NEWS?

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

mike, dallas, TX   January 1st, 2008 10:18 pm ET

What happened to the quality Ted Turner era of news coverage by the likes of Bernie Shaw, Frank Sesno etc? What the heck happened to CNN?

mike, dallas, TX   January 1st, 2008 10:15 pm ET

Yep, very "unfiltered"

Hillary gets several minutes of LIVE uninterrupted coverage; more than one event.
To give a "balance" CNN shows an Obama/Oprah event from almost a month ago. I did not know that was Obama's last campaign stump and he currently is on vacation and not campaigning (That is what you will think if CNN is your source for "unfiltered" coverage)

Anonymous   January 1st, 2008 8:39 pm ET

People, pollsters, pundits give undue importance to the IOWA caucus. Isn’t it time to break the back of this myth of IOWA’s importance? They haven’t picked a winner since 1976.

Bill Clinton and John Kerry won the democratic nominations without winning in IOWA. Enough with the rural pandering.

What has happened to all the Analysts at CNN. Can somebody reporter/commentator/Analyst tell the public that the 2008 primary season / cycle is DIFFERENT from yesteryears! We are talking January 3rd caucusing next to the New Year. Then New Hampshire then South Carolina THEN:

SUPER DUPER TUESDAY. Its going to be different this time. The early states voters may as well stay warm at home. Super Tuesday will decide the nominee. That needs money and organization which the fringe candidates including Edward (the contender in Iowa & New Hampshire) do not have!

I still am betting on the come-back-kid McCain for the Republican nominee, now that DIRTY TRICKS Dubya Bush Jr. and Karl Rove are no more!!!!

Go Hillary44 08! http://hillaryis44.org/

Vic Novosad, Sugar Land, TX   January 1st, 2008 6:46 pm ET

First, I do not intend to vote for Barak Obama to be the Democratic Party candidate. Nevertheless, there are many folks who are backing him, and if the race is a close as the polls say there are — there's a big chance that Obama might win. If that happens, democrats who are looking to retake the White House had better be aware.

There are already emails making the rounds that are sounding just like the ominous lies about Obama, along with far-fetched stories that the swift-boaters effectively put out concerning John Kerry. There were lies and everyone knew it. But guess what? The 'boaters's actions put George Bush back in office. And this is exactly what the opposing party will do to Obama. Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is seasoned against such dirty tricks and gutter tactics of the opposing Republicans. Plus, she has presidential qualifications.

What I'm saying, fellow-democrats — if Barak Obama wins the primaries and becomes the Democratic Party candidate — just get ready for the outlandish claims and smears they will float out to keep him in Illinois and the Republicans in office.

connie floyd, crockett,texas   January 1st, 2008 6:33 pm ET

yes, I've been looking for a place to complain about the coverage from CNN. Cnn is the only news I listen to, so when you are biased it really irritates me.
I watched all day and I maybe heard 10 minutes of Hillary. Everytime I turned around you had Obama on.
His speech is the one I have heard about 100 times so far. There is nothing but rhetoric with his speeches. There is no plan. All he talks about is how he hoping to get people to work together.

Donald, Butte, MT   January 1st, 2008 6:14 pm ET

Enough of the same sound bites and petty whinning from all the "candidates (sic).

When are they going to pinned down to the real problems confronting this country??

Bush's assault on the Constitution, 'signing statements', burgeoning deficit spending and earmarks, increasing public debt owned by hostile foreign governments, foreign investment in critical financial sectors, declining viability of our military forces, Supreme Court and Federal judgeship nominees, America's enforcement of the Geneva and Hague Conventions regarding the Law of Land Warfare ( the illegal imposition of rewards on the heads of personnel in Iraqi and AFghansitan), assault on our borders, Immigration!!!, fuel independence ( screw vote buying ethanol constituents in Iowa), assault on our civil liberties, capture of Osama Bin Laden, preemptive attack on perceived threats, our self-imposed idea of democracy on the world, the government's illegal invasion into our lives — internet, phone call, mail,e tc!!!!,

Need I go on?

marsha   January 1st, 2008 5:48 pm ET

Why didn't Obama placed his hand over his heart during the Pledge of
Allegiance? Does he not belive in the flag of the United States of America?
I would appreciate knowing the answers to these questions so I can better
get and idea about who I want to vote for.

action jackson   January 1st, 2008 5:22 pm ET

Health care in the US is too expensive and leaves 46 million Americans without insurance and millions more underinsured. Dennis Kucinich is the only candidate for President with a plan for a Universal, Single-Payer, Not-for-Profit health care system.

Duncan, Richmond, VA   January 1st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

How anyone can be complaining about the lack of coverage for Clinton or Obama is beyond my obvious limited comprehension.

David, Oregon City   January 1st, 2008 5:03 pm ET

Iowa poll numbers are starting to emerge with Mike Huckabee 2 to 1 over Mitt Romney. It appears in the final moments before the polls, Iowa voters are looking for a candidate with integrity rather than money.

James L.   January 1st, 2008 4:12 pm ET

Yeah…I ment to type Clinton and Obama will come in 4th and 5th. :)

James L.   January 1st, 2008 4:08 pm ET

Here are my predictions. Take note, people.

Iowa, GOP:
1. McCain
2.Romney
3.Huckabee

Iowa, Dems:
1. Edwards
2.Richardson
3.Biden
(Obama and Clinton will STUN the pollsters and pundints by coming in 3rd and 4th)

NH,GOP:
1. McCain
2. Romney
3. Guilliant

NH, Dems:
1. Edwards
2. Biden
3. Obama

Rick McCarthy   January 1st, 2008 4:06 pm ET

I'm looking for more Ron Paul coverage! I see someone posted about seeing him on CNN, but I've been watching and I still haven't seen him yet. I want more Ron Paul coverage please.

DeVon   January 1st, 2008 4:05 pm ET

I have lived in Arkansas for the past 33 years. I saw what Hilary was like while Bill was Governor, no way will I vote for her, she abandoned Arkansas (and so did Bill) when his last term as president was over and somehow convinced New York that she was a Resident of that state. How? IF she is elected (God forbid) what will she do next, Convince Canada that she is a citizen and run for office there?

I just saw Mike Huckabee on CNN saying that WE THE PEOPLE are the ruling class and that elected officials are our servants, that we don't want Uncle Sam telling us how to raise our children that parents can do a better job of raising our children that the government could. He should have thought that way when he was governor here. He pushed for and instituted weight monitoring for our kids in school, this I consider an invasion of privacy and parental rights. He lost 100 lbs while in office, he says by diet and exercise, and got onto a big health kick.

I don't consider Hillary to be a viable candidate, she was first lady of Arkansas then first lady of America then she was a senator for New York for 4 years. I don't see how this qualifies her to be President.

During Mike Huckabee's time as governor he was doing the opposite of what he now says he stands for.

Alan   January 1st, 2008 3:53 pm ET

Does anyone else thing Huckabee reminds them of Gomer Pyle? The only difference I see is Gomer Pyle was smarter.

Edna   January 1st, 2008 3:50 pm ET

Here we go again, Huckabee throwing the rock and hiding his hand. He wonders if Mormans believe Jesus and the devil are brothers (even the most ignorant child would not believe that story and he Huckabuck is a minister); He pardons numerous criminals, but it wasn't his fault; He highlighted a bookcase in the form of a cross for Christmas, but it was just a bookcase; He was going to show a negative campaign message but changed his mind. Even though I am not going to vote for McCann, I have much more respect for him, as he had the courage to actually draw a cross in plain site and acknowledge that he did it. Much like the Billary campaign, Huckabee presents himself as one of those children on the playground who stands behind someone and hits you in the head while your back is turned and then acts as though he didn't do it. I thought we were trying to get away from the sneaky, deceitful politics and enter into real change. After all that's what every candidate is talking about isn't it?

james h   January 1st, 2008 3:35 pm ET

Hey, give us more of Huck. I like to see him and especially hear him. America needs him. Thanks

Jen, Gainesville, FL   January 1st, 2008 3:22 pm ET

Interestingly, CNN did not report the last Des Moines Register poll released last night. Obama is 32%, Clintion is 25%, and Edwards is 24%. For the second choice, Obama is 28%, Clinton is 20%, and Edwards is 19%.

revolutioncalling   January 1st, 2008 3:14 pm ET

I watch the political coverage of CNN, but the coverage I see is difficult to believe. CNN is covering these politicians like they cover celebrities. It's easy to forget these people are running for political office. They cover how the candidates feel about each other and how they feel about the voters. Political issues are only referred to in the abstract. Candidates talk about how they want "change" and why the voters should trust them to bring "change". They say "I can change things in Washington" and that is about the extent of the coverage of politics. Every petty, snide remark made by the candidates towards each other is considered a scandal and harped on extensively by the media. I noticed the media's unwillingness to discuss or report on any of the important political issues like the falling dollar or the war in Iraq. Then, a reporter would announce that the public is not interested in political issues and they only base their votes on the candidates personalities and how they feel about their leadership abilities in general.

This is the type of coverage you would expect from a 5th grade class. The reporters don't understand political issues and don't know the difference between unemployment and inflation. They don't understand the war in Iraq and why we are there or what we are trying to accomplish. So they report on anything else they observe in the campaigns and stay far away from anything related to those confusing political issues.

VL

Ed,Ellenville,New York   January 1st, 2008 3:07 pm ET

It's nice to hear the candidates speak freely. Didn't anyone tell them they're being broadcast?

Scott Chandler   January 1st, 2008 2:57 pm ET

Please , don't put Hillary in the white house. It will be the biggest mistake the american voter can make since Jimmy carter .

Heather, Murrieta Ca   January 1st, 2008 2:29 pm ET

Thank you for this wonderful special!

EJ, Yorktown, NY   January 1st, 2008 2:28 pm ET

I keep watching your coverage of the candidates and find that nothing much is happening. This appears to be a great idea , BALLOT BOWL, ROSE BOWL, BALLOT BOWL, ROSE BOWL…BUT Sorry to say…..Michigan and Florida are battling…sure wish the candidates could give us that kind of show…
I need to be there to throw out my questions and concerns…so maybe it is not fair to comment or be so critica, BUT…. The audience seems tongue tied….who cares how the family reacted to Hucabee's weight lost. DAAAAAAA

Wood, Chesapeake VA   January 1st, 2008 2:18 pm ET

Susie, quit whining get a life.

pic   January 1st, 2008 2:16 pm ET

did m. rommey back & quote a leader by saying ' America is unique in never taking land after war '??? How about the Indian territory, Spanish/American War, etc.

Larry Buchas, New Britain, CT   January 1st, 2008 2:13 pm ET

CNN's "unfiltered coverage" has been on for about 5 hours. They had Obama on ONCE, introducing staffers.

Nothing like a balanced format, as usual!

Hey CNN, whatever happened to Dennis Kucinich? All I remember is he believes in UFO's?

Darleen Haynes   January 1st, 2008 2:13 pm ET

Your unfiltered views from candidates is a terrific public service. But When do we get to hear Hillary? For the last hour I have heard Huckabee, Romney and Edwards. I have not h eard Hillary's name even mentioned. Want to hear them all, and certainly Senator Clinton.
Darleen Haynes

Duncan, Richmond, VA   January 1st, 2008 1:55 pm ET

"CNN takes an unfiltered look "

What exactly does that mean? Unfiltered? Does it mean you might actually report on Ron Paul or that you will put some effort into reporting on him correctly.

I used to respect CNN as a serious news outlet, but I have seen in your reporting of Ron Paul that you not that far from Fox News.. ie, bad.

Patricia Steele   January 1st, 2008 1:54 pm ET

I just caught Ron Paul finally getting due coverage on CNN Ballot Bowl . It's about time that the main media allowed TV listeners to hear his points instead of always having to rely on internet to get info about his platform.

Linda   January 1st, 2008 1:50 pm ET

I was watching your coverage and listening to the candidates (at the time John Edwards) when suddenly you cut off his coverage and put on the "very important" coverage of Hucklebee playing the guitar. Come on — get real–this is not a deciding factor for being President!!

susie   January 1st, 2008 1:39 pm ET

It never fails , cnn always cuts off when obama speaks, why is that ? MSNBC is now what are family will be watching!!!!!

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