Primary Elections; Cochran Reaching Out to Black Democrats; Rep. Rangel in Tough New York Fight
BERMAN: Welcome back to THE LEAD, everyone. The politics lead now. The bumper stickers, the lawn signs, the firm handshakes and kissed babies, ladies and gentlemen, today is one of the most consequential primary election days of 2014. Voters in seven states heading to the polls in contests that do have the potential to rile Capitol Hill. Here is a little of what to watch for. In Oklahoma, an African- American and Native American rising star, former State House Speaker T.W. Shannon is running to the right of Congressman James Lankford. A Republican Senate primary race so tight it could go into runoff overtime. In Maryland, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown has a monster 23-point lead for the Democratic nomination and could be on his way to becoming just the third elected black governor in U.S. history. But it is the mudslinging in Mississippi that is grabbing so much of the attention this primary day. It is where a six-term senator is facing a young gun with Tea Party backing in a race so sullied, it's got the #whosyadaddy? trending online. And I am being completely serious. Our chief congressional correspondent Dana Bash is in Jackson. And, Dana, a central feature in this race an unexpected central feature in a Republican primary, race. What's going on here?</s>DANA BASH, CNN CHIEF CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: What's going on is that Thad Cochran and his allies who have been helping him really from across the country because they see this as such an important election on a national level with regard to the Republican Party, they've been coming in and trying to help him appeal to African-American voters, Democratic votes who don't normally show up for any Republican race. They might support him in the general election but not now. I was at a polling place in a predominantly African-American area here in Jackson talking to voter after voter saying they were coming out and voting for Thad Cochran. A super PAC who has been supporting Cochran has been spending money to try to get out had vote. And just anecdotally, where I was this morning, John, at the primary day, 70 people came all day. It's already doubled. And we're still hours away from the polls closing. So, it shows that effort has been helpful. On the flipside, you have Chris McDaniel, the challenger putting on his Facebook page a short while ago, they're trying to steal this election. Do we really want the liberal Democrats selecting the Republican nominee? They're concerned on the McDaniel side and what they're trying to do is fuel some of his supporters to try to use Cochran's outreach to African-Americans to get their conservative McDaniel supporters to the polls. That just shows you how things are going, when, by the way, this was supposed to be big picture about simply trying to get rid of people in Washington who conservatives shouldn't -- who conservatives believe shouldn't be there. Listen to candidates from both sides on this.</s>CHRIS MCDANIEL (R), MISSISSIPPI SENATORIAL CANDIDATE: If Virginia was a big splash two weeks ago, imagine what happens when a whole state believes that message.</s>BASH: To those who say, you know what, you have been re-elected time and time again, your opponent says, it's just too much, you've been there too long.</s>SEN. THAD COCHRAN (R), MISSISSIPPI: Well, I'm the choice the people have made freely and openly and it's their decision.</s>BASH: And, John, that's really again big picture what this is. You have a 36-year Senate veteran who has been in Washington too long, according to many of McDaniel's supporters. Didn't get enough votes to clear the 50 percent mark three weeks ago. So, now, we've had this runoff. And it was already nasty, as you can see. It's getting even nastier.</s>BERMAN: Now, the big picture there is also the on the ground reporting from you, fascinating that black vote crucial today. And that storyline we'll be following all day into the night. Dana Bash in Jackson, Mississippi, thank you so much. Meanwhile, in New York, Congressman Charlie Rangel hoping to avoid a Harlem shuffle of sorts. The 84-year-old Democrat trying to hold on to a career in politics that has spanned more than four decades, 22 terms on Capitol Hill representing his district in Harlem, but is the 23rd time the charm? His opponent sure hopes so. CNN's Alexandra Field has the latest.</s>ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Charlie Rangel on unfamiliar ground in the district he's represented for more than four decades, fighting for his political life.</s>REP. CHARLIE RANGEL (D), NEW YORK: Let's try this out. If you had a good racehorse, would you say he's too old to win again?</s>FIELD: Rangel was sent to Congress in 1971 to represent a substantially black district. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and became chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee, a committee he was forced off in 2010 following a humiliating House censure for 11 different ethics violations, including failing to pay taxes on a vacation home in the Dominican Republic where he was famously seen in this picture lounging on the beach, and improperly using congressional funds. All of it tarnishing the legacy of a Harlem Democrat once considered among the most powerful members of Congress.</s>LARRY SABATO, CENTER FOR POLITICS, UNIV. OF VIRGINIA: From 1970 on, you see that he's been involved in virtually every major event that has affected the country as a whole and minorities in particular.</s>FIELD: But in that time, Rangel's district has changed.</s>MARC LAMONT HILL, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: There are several factors that really are going to cause him to lose this race, but the biggest one is probably the shifting demographics.</s>FIELD: A historically black district now has a Hispanic majority.</s>RANGEL: We never had a political battle in my congressional district in 43 years. Based on where you were born or what religion you have.</s>FIELD: Two years ago, the congressman barely saved his job beating his primary opponent by fewer than 1,100 votes. Now the same opponent is back.</s>STATE SEN. ADRIANO ESPAILLAT (D-NY), CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: You know, he's been in office far too long. He's forgotten the little guys.</s>FIELD: If elected, State Senator Adriano Espaillat would become the first Dominican-American congressman.</s>SABATO: I'd say there are two deciding factors. One is the racial demographic makeup of that district and it is coming into play. But you also have the overall context of a very senior congressman who's been around a long, long time and has had a lot of scrapes.</s>FIELD: With the health battle behind him, Rangel's putting more into this fight. (on camera): What's changed since 2012?</s>RANGEL: Well, I don't have a walker. I don't have a spinal injury. I'm all over the district.</s>FIELD: Win or not, he says this is his last run. Alexandra Field, CNN, New York.</s>BERMAN: That is just a taste of the primary madness coming to a head tonight. Of course, CNN will have all the results as they roll in in live coverage. It's been a fascinating dramatic season so far. You will not want to miss it tonight. So, stay with us. When we come back, a little insight into the U.S. strategy for the World Cup match against Germany. What the coach is saying they will do to get to the next round. We'll also talk biting in Brazil. Plus, he made taking a grilling on Capitol Hill look like a walk in the park. So, how did the man who battled with Republican lawmakers get into this kind of fighting shape?