January 22, 2008
Posted: 06:02 PM ET
 The CNN Election Express is heading across the country.
The CNN Election Express is heading across the country.

ABOARD THE ELECTION EXPRESS, South Carolina (CNN) – The country is at war, the economy is stalling, and the presidential candidates are fighting over everything from universal health care to illegal immigration.

The Democratic and Republican White House hopefuls are offering their plans, but is America listening? Over the next six days we will search for that answer, and provide Americans an opportunity to say what’s on their minds as the CNN Election Express motors from Myrtle Beach to Los Angeles.

For the past year, if you lived in Iowa or New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada, chances are you bumped into Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John McCain or Barack Obama.

These states have made their voices heard — except for South Carolina’s Democrats, who vote on Saturday — but were the voters in Alabama or New Mexico listening?

The candidates had better hope so. Voters in these states and 22 others head to the polls on February 5, when 1,681 Democratic and 1020 Republican delegates are up for grabs.

This is no planned tour. We are going to make unscheduled stops in little towns and big cities, truck stops and diners. When we pull over, CNN’s Ali Velshi will be jumping off the bus to hear what’s on voters’ minds, while I blog along the way.

We begin our journey in South Carolina, and end in California: 2,600 miles and the lives and stories of millions of Americans lie in-between.

So, tune into CNN and The Ticker throughout the day and night for the latest from the road.

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Filed under: CNN Election Express • Real People Real Issues


Shari   January 29th, 2008 5:46 pm ET

This country really needs help in all areas, I work at a large hospital in my area and meet families everyday from all parts of the country today it happened to be NY, north Carolina, and I am in PA we talked on gas prices, house prices and actual pay it was sad to see how we all were hurting and see how a person from PA could probably never afford to live in NY…. I believe in change and know it won't be easy but Obama seems like he will see things from all angles and I prayer he is the one. HILARY i AM SORRY BUT LOOKS RICH, ACTS SNOBBY AND SHE just rubs me personally the wrong way.

OBAMA supporter

Steve in Los Angeles   January 25th, 2008 2:38 pm ET

If Hillary wins the Democratic primary, the Left loses big. Once every generation we get an inspirational leader who produces a significant shift in the way the country thinks and acts. Barack Obama could accomplish that shift, like JFK did to the left and Ronald Reagan did to the right. If Hillary wins, we get more NAFTA, "don't ask don't tell" and other Republican-lite policies. Most of all, if Hillary wins, the Democrats miss out on the opportunity to truly inspire and revitalize America.

GaryO Virginia Beach   January 23rd, 2008 6:47 pm ET

CNN is prone to exaggeration. I looked at the video, and I did not see where Bill Clinton “lashed out.” Bill Clinton did not look upset to me, but he did make some good points.

I think it’s amazing the way the press and others are so intent on babysitting Barack Obama. You of the press are doing your best to usher Obama through the primaries and into the general election.

CNN, and other media outlets are exploiting this campaign as much as possible to increase ratings and market share. Obama is a black man running for President. That’s the biggest story you have, and you want to make it last. Hillary is a woman running for president. That’s a pretty good story, but not as good as Obama. And poor John Edwards, arguably the most capable candidate against the Republicans, has been totally pushed aside by the press because his candidacy just will not generate enough interest.

The news media has totally abandoned its social conscious and replaced it with a lust for market share.

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't like being MANIPULATED by the press.

VOTE NOT OBAMA !!

Truth   January 23rd, 2008 5:58 pm ET

Obama should change to the Republican party. They would welcome him with open arms. He wold bring 50 percent of the black vote with him and the democrats would be dead for 50 years. His ideas are ideas of change and the dems don't understand change, they hate it, detest it. Listen to them as Obama attempts to explain change. They just laugh at him as they look back to the future.

David   January 23rd, 2008 5:51 pm ET

I admit that I voted for Bill Clinton twice. I am sick, sick, sick of Bill Clinton now. I am sick of his rantings and the way he goes on. It is reminiscent of his "I did not have sex with that woman" and "It depends on what the definition of is IS." Today's lashing out to make it seem like he is not bringing race and such things into his hitting the trail for his wife is just the same the old Bill Clinton.

As a Democrat, I vow to vote for anyone other than Hillary Clinton if she is my party's nominee. Anyone. I will not vote to put Bill Clinton back in the White House.

The Observer   January 23rd, 2008 3:53 pm ET

"Daniel Amde, DESMOINES, IOWA January 22, 2008 6:27 pm ET

Ditto that. I am a democrat and if hillay get the nomination, I will vote for a republican. "

Amazing all these so-called "democrats" who will vote republican - is that because they are really republicans and not democrats in the first place?

pmac   January 23rd, 2008 2:11 pm ET

If obama can't stand up to Shrill Hill just think of what the repugs will do to him

Vote Edwards –He can stand up to the corporations he'll sue them!!

VOTE SMART
VOTE EDWARDS

Lisa   January 23rd, 2008 11:25 am ET

I want to vote for the person who will put the American People needs first before anyone or anything else, As americans struggle to find their voice in this sometimes complicated goverment system we have, I think we should always expect that our elected leaders will take care of their own first.

Trannon   January 23rd, 2008 8:44 am ET

I believe that only Hillary Clinton can hit the ground running, devour all the negativity and spit it out, and restore our nation back to its standing in the world, economic stability and inject a progressive agenda to carry us into the future.

Obama is too young and cocky, inexperienced and exclusionary.

Edwards needs to be named Vice-President to Hillary and given a HUGE share of responsibility.

The Republicans need to wake up and come quietly into the future or fade into oblivion.

They are the party of decay.

The Democrats need to re-engerize their party, unite with the Greens and become the choice of the future — HILLARY can do what Bill never could in the 90s.

Go Hillary! CLINTON/EDWARDS '08

Helen in Mormon Mecca ~Nauvoo, IL   January 22nd, 2008 11:33 pm ET

Maybe they all need a good book to read…"When Salt Lake City Calls: Is there a conflict between Mormonism and the public trust?" by Rocky Hulse

JohnS   January 22nd, 2008 11:16 pm ET

The very "women and Latino/Latina minorities" who are now on the side of Hillary will be the ones crying tomorrow when the Republicans are done with the Clintons and taken back the White House for another 8 years.

Well, here will be some of the goodbys: Roe v Wade is gone; Rights of Minorities will be set back another decade, to name but a few.

No one on this blog really believes the Republican machine will allow the Clintons to get back to that White House, after all the past scandals to this nation. May God Bless us all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

helen   January 22nd, 2008 10:24 pm ET

How tragic it is that we have created such a system that our candidates have no choice but to run around the country spending millions of dollars and totally exhausting themselves just to garner a few votes.
I have no real answers, but I truly wish we could create a more humane and intelligent way to vet the candidates. I'm sure they wish so too.

Mark- Hoboken, NJ   January 22nd, 2008 10:22 pm ET

I wonder if Hillary is going to turn on the tears again, sniff, "I want so much for this country, that my husband and I will lie like crazy to get elected"

deaflefty1   January 22nd, 2008 10:17 pm ET

Hey guys and gals,

Don't vote for these braing kids..Barack and hillary..Vote for John Edwards..the provider of most of the best ideas for post election progress..

he will pick up the pieces after Band H self destruct, and whip the republicans in the real election in November !!!

A Chapman   January 22nd, 2008 10:04 pm ET

I think that under the present circumstances in this country, the candidates need to stick to the issues at hand; the war, bringing our troops home, the high price of gas;the growing recession;the high rate of unemployment;healthcare and education. We need a leader for all, not just one race. We don't need someone who can compete the way it is usually done. We need a "New Way" New Plan of Action". I feel that the best candidate is who should be the next president not matter if it is a woman, or Africian American man. I am a 47-year old Africian American woman and that is my thoughts on the recent debates, and news blogs.

Dennis C. Pangan   January 22nd, 2008 10:01 pm ET

Barrack Obama is too raw for the job ahead now that the United States is experiencing economic downturn. A Clinton-Obama is a formidable ticket which can win landslide in all states, and that what the Republicans fear so much. An Obama candidate can easily beaten by any Republican candidate as they will hammer out the preparedness of the Democratic candidate. This is the chance of the Democrats to get control of the White House and only a Clinton nomination can make that happen.

Dennis C. Pangan of Manila, Philippines

John   January 22nd, 2008 9:52 pm ET

Were listening and watching and wondering if they will stop arguing long enough to tell us what they truly believe they can accomplish if they are elected instead of just the usual "elect me and I'll…" statements.

man   January 22nd, 2008 9:52 pm ET

Hillary was sold to health insurance lobbyist. She will not be able to provide us a good health care policy!!! She is frustrated after loosing IOWA primary. Her tears brought her back. Fellow Americans, we can not afford electing her as president where in this kind of critical situation she will start crying. Don't get emotional, be realistic. Wake up!!!!!

JC   January 22nd, 2008 9:48 pm ET

Unify America with positive politics based on the truth- go Obama

chude ireland   January 22nd, 2008 9:31 pm ET

cliton has no clue what the world economy is about.AMERICANS WAKE UP.Do not make another costly mistake.She just want to fulfil her personal life ambition. I think there a better women for the job.ALBRIGHT would be a perfect candidate.

JohnS   January 22nd, 2008 9:03 pm ET

Yes, take no money from the cooperations Edwards!!! But, can Edwards refund most of the funds he took from the cases he won on the back of "poor people?" We are talking here about millions and millions of dollars!!!

I guess, the strong advocate here is for "lawyers" who are good at fighting to line up their pockets with the spoils of the poor. It often reminds me of presidents who send other people's kids to war but send their kids to institutions of higher education or "charity work" only to claim that they are …..

Do not get me wrong, I have always been a supporter of Edwards. He should wait until Hillary loses to the Republicans and he can then sue the Republicans to help the dumb democrats who put Hillary out there as a nominee– got the picture?

Sabrina   January 22nd, 2008 8:35 pm ET

Just be fair!

Eleanor Kahn   January 22nd, 2008 8:03 pm ET

As a NH voter I have encountered many more candidates than those you have listed. This is one more example where your network has been acting all along as though the Democratic field was composed of only two candidates! Watching the debate last night was both frustrating and heartbreaking to see how you marginalize any one other than Obama and Clinton. Edwards was again very articulate and above the fray and again presented cogent arguments. Media bias and hype this time around, just as in 2004 has just about discouraged me from wanting to be engaged in the process in the future. Eleanor M. Kahn, PhD, ARNP

Tom Masters   January 22nd, 2008 7:40 pm ET

Good, please stick to issues and differences and not the candidates' favorite food or tv shows.

Gene   January 22nd, 2008 7:34 pm ET

CNN staff and anchors stop making this 2008 presidential campaign a race factor. We are 're voting race or gender issues, but what the candidate stands for… and future of Americans..

Harold   January 22nd, 2008 7:27 pm ET

I think this a good thing for you guys to do. It gives America to get in on this election. Maybe it will stimilate some anyway. drive careful.

karen   January 22nd, 2008 7:27 pm ET

Headline: "Eight Super Tuesday States" Mark Preston would you care to name the Eight?

JOSEPHINE LIPNICKY   January 22nd, 2008 7:26 pm ET

AS YOU CONTINUE TO SHOW BILL CLINTON FALLING ASLEEP IN CHURCH
AFTER PROBABLY BEING AWAKE ALL NIGHT TRAVELING, PLEASE SEARCH YOUR ARCHIVES
FOR PRESIDENT REAGAN FALLING ASLEEP AT CABINET MEETINGS. OH.
THAT IS NOT ON FILM JUST REPORTED BY THOSE IN ATTENDANCE.

get truth guy   January 22nd, 2008 7:22 pm ET

Is he grow up in Muslim family and recieved Muslim education? if he was, why does he afraid to amit he is or was a Muslim? I really don't care whether or not he believe in Muslim, what I care is he tell us the truth.

dilmont   January 22nd, 2008 7:17 pm ET

Journalism 101: YOU are not the story. If you are, you MUST let someone else report it or you lose all credibility.

Jim   January 22nd, 2008 7:14 pm ET

Come to Russellville, Arkansas! It's right on I40 in the heartland of the nation. Stop at Stoby's for breakfast or Fat Daddy's BBQ for lunch and you will find some really great people to visit with.

Jack M, London   January 22nd, 2008 6:51 pm ET

So if you have parents that are Muslim you are muslim? That is total nonesense. If people judge us by our parents' religion then god (figure of speech) help us.

In my opinion all these religions are man made, if people want to practice a religion then they should keep it home and in their own circles and not let it interfere in the mainstream community at large.

However, sadly, i don't think Mr Obama will win the nomination let alone the presidency cos along with these religious slurs and his race(though mixed) cos the US is not ready to vote in a capable non-white person in as president yet, maybe in 20 years or so. Shame though because i think Mr Obama represents the breath of fesh air that most people are gasping for.

Murry   January 22nd, 2008 6:47 pm ET

Yes, CNN, we are listening. Thank you for your extensive coverage. But, I'd like you to try "keeping them honest," as Anderson says. Everyone's accusing each other of lying or distorting the truth. Please set the record straight as an unbiased 3rd party. We need you to do that. Thanks.

k. sonnenberg   January 22nd, 2008 6:32 pm ET

Hilary at least spoke or brought about issues of substance during the Myrtle Beach Debate. None of the other candidates did. They lack direction and only responded to Hilary's stuff on the agenda. Good luck Guys!!! kersten sonnenberg

Daniel Amde, DESMOINES, IOWA   January 22nd, 2008 6:31 pm ET

I would not vote for a candidate who can't take the presuure, who shed tear for losing single primary?? I think she will be confused to take decissions in any chiotic situation, and become tensed and disturbed??

Daniel Amde, DESMOINES, IOWA   January 22nd, 2008 6:27 pm ET

Ditto that. I am a democrat and if hillay get the nomination, I will vote for a republican.

But, I will also campain for BArack to change to independant if he losses to hillary and VOTE for him as an independent.

GO OBAMA' 08!!!

Harrison, Boston, U.S.   January 22nd, 2008 6:26 pm ET

"Yes We Can" was also the slogan used by the California Angels baseball team and chanted routinely at the games by the fans as the team tried to win the championship in the 1979 season!

Yes, we can find race in anything but this political race is about character and leadership, and Obama is a person of character, a leader, and filled with a great vision of what we can do.

We can vote for the pessimists of the past, or the optimists of the future.

Isn't time to say Yes We Can instead of No We Can't?

Nik T, Houston, TX   January 22nd, 2008 6:26 pm ET

Man, how boring. What are you going to report, you biased CNN? Are you just going to report how "hated" HIllary is and how God-like Obama is? If you are, then I guess you're just keeping the same ol', same ol' dung.

Ken   January 22nd, 2008 6:25 pm ET

"For the past year, if you lived in Iowa or New Hampshire, South Carolina or Nevada, chances are you bumped into Hillary Clinton, Mitt Romney, John McCain or Barack Obama."

Hmmm…. but not John Edwards? Wonder how he finished 2nd in Iowa.

owen,washington dc   January 22nd, 2008 6:21 pm ET

This is the best the CNN can come up with?They should get Karl Rove on board!

mark simonitsch   January 22nd, 2008 6:20 pm ET

Regarding the stalled economy. Imagine, the economic downturn is occurring at the same time the domestic economy is receiving billions of dollars from Pentagon spending. This recession would have been upon us sooner and with greater severity without government spending on the Iranian neo-conservative social engineering experiment to produce democracy among a tribal culture.

Tony   January 22nd, 2008 6:18 pm ET

Is Wolf Blitzer in that bus? Tell them Thank you for setting up fights and staying out of it!

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