Express Line dispatch: Gearing up for Tuesday's contests
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Students Scott Oster, left, Caroline Breckenridge and Scott Robinson
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From CNN.com's Malrey Head:
CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) -- One day before the South Carolina primary, the appearance of the CNN Election Express on George Street drew small crowds of students and candidate representatives.
Some of those students, even those not voting Tuesday, have favorite candidates.
Nicholas Glover, president of the student government association, was among the small crowd watching the afternoon taping of Judy Woodruff.
Glover, 21, said he will vote for Sen. John Edwards on Tuesday. The South Carolina native said heard the North Carolina senator speak early in the campaign and liked what Edwards had to say. Glover said he has been a supporter of Edwards for months.
And Edwards' being from the South, didn't hurt, Glover said.
Scott Oster and Caroline Breckenridge stopped to hear the campaign talk.
Scott Oster is not registered in South Carolina and can't vote Tuesday. But if he could, he said he would support Sen. John Kerry.
Oster, 20 and the photo editor for the student paper, The George Street Observer, likes Kerry's war record and his leadership. The senator from Massachusetts is a Vietnam veteran
Oster pointed out that Kerry announced his candidacy in Charleston.
Breckenridge is a staff writer for the student paper. She is not registered to vote and is uncertain whom she would vote for if she could.
Oster was on assignment for the student weekly when he paused to listen to the supporters of many candidates gathered near the CNN Election Express.
He says the student paper has covered the presidential campaign from early on. Many weeks campaign coverage was front-page news
Another Kerry supporter is Megan Hubbard, 21 and news editor for the paper. She's from Virginia, but is registered in South Carolina.
From the newspaper offices, she said she has liked Kerry's stand on issues since he announced his candidacy.
She says she thinks students on campus are interested in the campaign. She said the last three issues of the paper have devoted some coverage to the candidates.
Scott Robinson, 20, joined friends Oster and Breckenridge. He's registered in South Carolina and will vote on Tuesday. But unlike his fellow classmates, this Connecticut native likes former Vermont Governor Howard Dean.
He says Dean is charismatic and that he agrees with Dean's policy on most things, such as health care. Robinson says he agrees with Dean that folks under 18 should not have to fight to get health care.
While some polls give Edwards the edge in the South Carolina primary, Glover said that he would support in November whichever candidate received the Democratic presidential nomination.
From CNN.com's Malrey Head:
Posted 7:32 PM ET
Over the weekend, the CNN Election Express traveled to Charleston, South Carolina. On Monday the bus's appearance at the College of Charleston brought out the supporters of various candidates. At one point, supporters of Wesley Clark and John Kerry shared the same sidewalk. Later, supporters of Howard Dean and John Edwards appeared.
The bus and candidates' supporters all crammed onto George Street, which runs through the campus.
The bus and campaigners drew small crowds of students, but many came to watch CNN live. Despite the chill in the later afternoon, many students stood by as Judy Woodruff taped her show.
CNN Election Express bus driver Dale Fountain
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Dale Fountain, CNN Election Express bus driver:
Posted: 5:12 PM ET
Crew call: 5:30 a.m. Temperature: It's in the 30s and windy and cold. Today's Express location: Charleston, South Carolina.
Well after a couple of days on the road from New Hampshire, we're finally here in South Carolina. I was looking forward to warmer weather since it's been cold everywhere we've been so far, but it looks like we brought the chilly air with us to Charleston.
Today the College of Charleston will serve as a backdrop to "Inside Politics." I'm curious to see what locals will show up.
Tonight the bus heads to Columbia for tomorrow's primary. I'm looking forward to high turnout tomorrow and then heading back to Atlanta once it's all over.
Today's TV lingo: IFB. This is the ear piece that allows producers in the control room to talk to the reporters in the field.
