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On Friday, August 17, Kiran Chetry of CNN’s American Morning interviewed Senator McCain about the state of his campaign.  However, American Morning wasn’t finished with Senator McCain, after his interview.  On their “Political Jackpot” feature, they had a brief analysis.   Here is the official CNN transcript of both Chetry’s interview and the “Political Jackpot” feature:

CHETRY: Well, we’re talking about Senator John McCain. He was once considered the man to beat among the republic pack running for the White House but the senator’s campaign has suffered more than a few setbacks, many of them well publicized. I had a chance to talk with him last night, about what went wrong, and what may be ahead for his campaign, and what he thinks about his competition.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: You talk about the ups and downs of campaigns and your downs were highly publicized. You had the departure of some long time people. You ran out of money. What went wrong?

SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), ARIZONA: Bad decisions, budget decisions on my part. It’s all my responsibility. We’re back on track again. Every campaign has problems from time to time, but I’m very happy with where we are now and how we’re doing. I think most Americans will start deciding sometime in September or October as to who they want to support and I am confident in my ability to do the kind of campaigning that will gain their support, recognizing that it’s very tough.

CHETRY: You said earlier this week that since 1980, every nominee has won two of the three key early races that being New Hampshire, Iowa or South Carolina. You’re not leading in any of these states. If you were not to win one of those two states would you consider dropping out?

MCCAIN: I am sure we would have to see what the circumstances were at the time but I’m confident we will win two of the three early states but I would imagine it would be extremely difficult without that. You’d be defying history.

CHETRY: When it comes to Rudy Giuliani as well he was the only one on the stage that was willing to say that he was pro-choice. I mean, after really getting questioned. Do you think that a pro-choice candidate can win the GOP ticket?

MCCAIN: I think it’s very difficult. I think it’s very difficult, because it’s one of the principles of our party. But he seems to be doing pretty well so far. (END VIDEO CLIP)

CHETRY: All right. So that was John McCain weighing in about Rudy Giuliani saying it is difficult to be the only pro-choice candidate in the GOP field. Giuliani still leading the national polls, though. That’s where we start our Friday edition of political hot topics. We call it jackpot or ballot jackpot and we have put one hot topic on each ballot. We’ve stuffed the box and then we draw them out one at a time. Our guests have to weigh in. Although I will admit today that we cheated a little bit.

MARCIANO: Of course, we did. We cheated the last time I was here as well but nonetheless it’s going to be informative and hopefully it will be entertaining thanks to our panel that’s joining us once again, democratic strategist, Kelly Bangle, she’s in New York, and republican strategist, Terry Holt, in Washington.

Good morning to both of you. Are you ready for what we rigged here?

KELLY BANGLE, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Let’s do it.

TERRY HOLT, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: Only if you admit you’re cheating up front so bring it on.

MARCIANO: I was a boy scout so I admit that.

CHETRY: Coming on the heels of our discussion with John McCain. I’m interested to get both of your opinions. We start with you, Terry. McCain comeback. Is it in the works? Is it possible?

HOLT: I think it’s very possible. This is a guy who is used to running as an underdog. He’s articulate and has the leadership qualities that republicans are looking for. But he’s got an awful long road. His campaign suffered some tremendous losses, I think, over the last few months. But, hey, we still got a lot of time left. Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney would like, I think, this to be a two- person race but I think they still hear footsteps. Whether it’s Thompson’s or McCain’s, we’ll have to see.

BANGLE: I pretty much agree with everything Terry said. I think McCain ran a good campaign the last time around and I think he has a lot to offer voters. We’ll just have to see. But I don’t think it’s a three-person race in the Republican Party just yet. Nobody within the Republican Party has really attracted the base and emerged at a front runner so I agree with most of what Terry says.

HOLT: One thing we do know is Mr. McCain is a fighter. We dip back into the box here. Better late than never? We put that. Kiran, explain.

MARCIANO: All right. We dip into the box here. Better late then never?

CHETRY: We’re talking about Fred Thompson. Is running number two in our CNN poll but hasn’t announced. Some are saying what are you waiting for and he is saying it’s never too late.

HOLT: It may not be. But I think in the early states, your interview, you mentioned you have to win one of these early states or that’s been the tradition. I think that holds. Two or three of these things are big momentum builders and I think that if Thompson wants to compete in one of those early states, time is running out.

MARCIANO: He’s going to be at the Iowa state fair so is that softening up to maybe appeal to the democrats down the line?

BANGLE: Absolutely. I think if Thompson gets in the race will do very well in South Carolina. I think most folks in the south would love to see a southerner get in the race, so I think has a strong chance in South Carolina and certainly Iowa, where he can appeal to the rural base in that accent.

MARCIANO: You’re just saying that because you have that accent.  

You can read the full text of the original transcript here.  You can contact The Tower at tower@campaignia.org.