McCain: 'We're Going to Have a Very Significant Victory'
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: John McCain is beginning his day with a coffee for voters at Hilton Head, South Carolina. The senator joins us now from the island. He's just wrapped up a speech there that we got a chance to listen to a bit of this morning. Senator, we thank you for taking time to talk to us on what's the eve of V-day, voting day, in South Carolina. How do you feel about things right now?</s>SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R-AZ), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: I feel great. The crowds are large. The enthusiasm is at the level it was in New Hampshire; it's -- I think we're going to get a big voter turnout, and if that's the case, then I'm going to win this race. Most polls show us about in a dead heat, and -- but really, what I detect is the level of enthusiasm is very high, and so, we've got a lot of committed voters. It's going to be very interesting and very exciting.</s>HARRIS: Well, we talked about the polls. The poll that we have this morning, the CNN/"USA Today"/Gallup poll, shows you behind, and, actually, that gap widening some.</s>MCCAIN: Well, there's a Zogby poll, there's Mason Dixon poll, there's about 12 other polls that show us, really, in the margin of error. And so, it's going to depend on voter turnout. I'm very happy, and, look, I've been campaigning enough now, I can detect enthusiasm. We're enthusiastic and we're confident, and I think we're going to have a very significant victory.</s>HARRIS: Are you predicting a repeat of the New Hampshire surprise?</s>MCCAIN: I'm not sure it's going to be that large, but I certainly am predicting that we're going to win.</s>HARRIS: Well, one of the things that we've been noticing and that we have evidenced in our poll is that the change in tactics by the Bush campaign seems to have some traction there in South Carolina, where he's been attacking you and you have not been attacking him back. Are you worried at all going into the last final hours before the vote that that may actually be a bad decision on your part?</s>MCCAIN: You can't do that. Look, the people of South Carolina and this country don't deserve that. You can't pickup a telephone or turn on the radio or the television here in South Carolina without a negative attack ad on me. We're not conducting that kind of campaign. We'll rely on the good judgment of the people of South Carolina. I'm proud of this campaign. I'm proud of the way we've presented a positive image. I wish Governor Bush hadn't taken those tactics and -- but, you know, that's his decision. But what we're doing is a positive campaign, it's a positive image, and I'm very enthusiastic, I'm very happy about our prospects. Stand by for tomorrow night.</s>HARRIS: Well, one of the other things that you're doing is practically brazen, reaching out to Democrats and independents, and not necessarily just those within your own party. What does that say about your campaign, and what does it say about your party?</s>MCCAIN: Actually, we're seeking, as we achieved in New Hampshire, a base load of Republicans supporting us, and then anybody who wants to flock to our banner, we're welcoming them; that's what we used to call "Reagan Democrats," the coalition that ruled this country. The Republican Party has lost the last two presidential election, the last two general elections. We've got to reform this party; that's what this campaign is all about. We've got to be an inclusive party. We want everybody who shares are principles and our values and our conservative ideals to be part of our campaign. I welcome them. But our base mode is the Republican Party, but we welcome anybody who wants to vote for us. And I thank you, and come on down, come on out.</s>HARRIS: That is going to be your mantra, no doubt, throughout the day: come on out. You need a big turnout to pull off a victory here. What are you going to be doing today?</s>MCCAIN: Well, we're going to be all over. We've got five big events today, ending up in Charleston tonight with a big rally. Look, I can't be happier about this campaign. I can't be happier about the honorable way we've conducted it, the people we've attracted to our banner. And this campaign has become bigger that John McCain. It's about the direction and formation of the Republican Party in this nation, and I'm proud and pleased at what we've done. Remember, in this state, two weeks ago, we were 20 points behind. We're happy.</s>HARRIS: Well, we'll see if you're happy tomorrow. Let's check and see if you're able to smile tomorrow after the votes are all counted.</s>MCCAIN: We'll be happy no matter what.</s>HARRIS: All right, Senator John McCain, we thank you very much for your time</s>MCCAIN: Thank you.