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Saturday Morning News

Civil Rights Commission Grills Katherine Harris

Aired January 13, 2001 - 9:12 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: In the wake of the presidential election debacle both legal and congressional pressure is building on the problems of states' voting procedures. The U.S. Civil Rights Commission is examining Florida's election system and CNN National Correspondent Gary Tuchman says the Commission gives the Secretary of State in Florida a failing grade.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you swear or affirm that you will testify truthfully to the best of your abilities?

KATHERINE HARRIS, FLORIDA SECRETARY OF STATE: Yes.

CLAY ROBERTS, DIRECTOR OF ELECTIONS: Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you very much.

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The most well-known chief election officer in America was grilled by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

HARRIS: We want to make sure that every voter's -- the will of every voter is self-evident.

TUCHMAN: Katherine Harris, the Florida Secretary of State and one of George W. Bush's co-campaign chairs in Florida, and her Director of Elections Clay Roberts were the subjects of some antagonistic and sarcastic exchanges from commission members.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This must be a unique state and a unique system of government. I'm unpersuaded by your testimony, I must tell you.

TUCHMAN: Harris was asked about the Palm Beach County manual vote count and the decision by the Florida Supreme Court to extend the certification deadline to Monday, November 26th, or the day before if her office was open.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why in the world didn't you just simply not open the office on Sunday knowing that that request was there and accept the votes on Monday to honor the votes of those folks who had voted in that county? HARRIS: I'm glad you asked that question because I can tell you that as we met on Sunday we went round and round about the issue. From the time that we entered this recount period my only interest was to follow the law. We had no information or knowledge that the votes wouldn't be - would not be completely counted by 5 p.m. on Sunday and so ...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The whole nation did, apparently your office was the only one in the world that didn't.

HARRIS: No, we ...

TUCHMAN: The secretary did certify the vote that Sunday not including the incomplete Palm Beach County hand count. Harris was asked if her office provides voter educational materials to counties. It was one of many answers she said she did not know.

HARRIS: Again that would be a day-to-day operational question that you could address to Mr. Roberts if you would like.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why don't you ask him, you're sitting next to him.

HARRIS: OK, OK.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He works for you, ask him. Why can't he whisper in your ear and tell you the answer?

ROBERTS: Would you rather that, Madam Chair, or were you -- can I answer directly?

HARRIS: I just thought it would be more expeditious if you had him answer it.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I see. Are you interested in the answer to the question, Madam Secretary?

HARRIS: I'm extremely interested.

TUCHMAN: Clay Roberts testified educational posters were sent to county precincts. The Civil Rights Commission will hold more hearings on this issue next month in Miami. Preliminary findings will be released a few weeks later with a final report coming out sometime this summer.

Gary Tuchman, CNN, Tallahassee, Florida.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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