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Ann Compton Chats With Jonathan Dube
 ABCNEWS.com's Ann Compton |
Super Tuesday was the most important day for the candidates fighting for the Republican and Democratic parties' presidential nominations.
ABCNEWS.com provided live continuous coverage of Super Tuesday from coast to coast. ABCNEWS.com's chief Washington correspondent, Ann Compton, chatted with ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube, who was at Sen. John McCain's headquarters in Los Angeles Tuesday evening. Here is the transcript.
Moderator at 11:02pm ET on March 7, 2000
Welcome Jon Dube!
Ann Compton at 11:02pm ET
Jon, describe the scene where his supporters are waiting for John McCain's arrival.
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:02pm ET
Several hundred of his supporters are gathered inside a shopping plaza earerly awaiting his arrival. They're holding red, white and blue pom-poms.
Ann Compton at 11:03pm ET
This has not been a good night for him. Are his supporters disappointed?
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:03pm ET
The feeling is mixed among the people I've spoken with. Those who've heard the results are disappointed, and are beginning to feel the race is over. But many of those here have not heard all the results from tonight and continue to have hope.
Ann Compton at 11:04pm ET
How important was California to McCain's strategy?
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:05pm ET
If McCain could win California, in terms of the Republican vote, it would give him 162 delagates and obviously be a big boost. However, even he recognized that that was unlikely, and he was hoping to at least have won the popular vote, otherwise known as the beauty contest.
Ann Compton at 11:06pm ET
At this hour, the beauty contest is too-close-to-call. Is there any hope the McCain campaign can continue after tonight?
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:07pm ET
McCain's campaign has not indicated yet whether or when they would decide to drop out of the contest. If he does in fact win the popular vote in California, then he could have reason to continue, because he could continue to argue, as he has in the past, that in a general election he would be the most electable Republican.
Ann Compton at 11:08pm ET
Everywhere McCain goes, he seems to draw independents. Are California independents turning out for him?
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:09pm ET
People of every political persuasion have been turning out for McCain in CA. I've spoken with Democrats, Republicans and Independents here tonight who are awaiting his arrival.
Ann Compton at 11:10pm ET
It sounds as though the mood in the McCain campaign is considerably brighter than his political accomplishments tonight.
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:10pm ET
I guess that depends who you talk to. There's certainly a good number of people who are optimistic and are eagerly awaiting his arrival, while upbeat dance music blasts through the hall. So there certainly is that upbeat atmosphere. However, a number of people I've spoken with are starting to realize the party is over.
ABCNEWS.com's Jonathan Dube at 11:11pm ET
Well, Ann, It'll be interesting to see who his supporters turn to if in fact his campaign does come to a halt.
Ann Compton at 11:12pm ET
Good point, Jon. Thanks for all your reporting.
Moderator at 11:13pm ET
Thank you all for participating in this live event ... and a special thanks to Ann Compton for guest moderating this evening!
Stay with ABCNEWS.com for continuing coverage of the race. If you would like to continue this discussion please click here.
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