The transcript of Trish Regan’s profile of the Maryland Senate race follows:
Russ Mitchell, Substitute co-host: "But first, much of the focus in next month's elections is on the possibility that Democrats could take control of Congress, but not all the seats in jeopardy are Republican. CBS News correspondent Trish Regan is here with more on that. Trish, good morning."
Trish Regan: "Good morning Russ. You know, for 25 years in Maryland, when Democratic Senator Paul Sarbanes was on the ballot, Republicans barely showed up on election day, but Sarbanes is retiring and now Maryland may turn out to be a bright spot for the GOP. It's is pinning its hopes on Michael Steele, who is no typical Republican."
Russell Simmons: "He said he wants to fight poverty and ignorance."
Trish Regan: "Hip-hop is in the house, the GOP house."
Russell Simmons: "Now I'm here to endorse him."
Trish Regan: "Hip hop recording industry tycoon Russell Simmons, a long-time supporter of Democrats, is endorsing a Republican, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele who's in a battle against Congressman Ben Cardin for the U.S. Senate seat. Cardin is a Democrat in an historically Democratic state."
David Bositis, Political Analyst: "The Democrats have it a lot easier in Maryland politics."
Trish Regan: "Political analyst David Bositis says the Republicans have picked their best candidate. This race may literally depend, on well, race."
David Bositis: "He certainly is intriguing some black voters more than traditional Republican candidates."
Trish Regan: "27% of voters in Maryland are black so the question becomes -- how many African-American voters will abandon their historic ties to the Democratic party to vote for Steele. An internal document prepared for the Democratic National Committee warns as many as 44% of African-Americans will switch sides."
Barak Obama, Illinois Senator: "Maryland has been blessed."
Trish Regan: "So Cardin's bringing out Democrats with wide support in the black community."
Barak Obama: "Ultimately African-Americans will look at who's got an agenda that actually helps their community and that's going to be Ben Cardin."
Trish Regan: "But, Cardin supporters Jack and Jennifer Bell aren't so sure. Many of their Democratic friends are planning to vote Republican because Steele is the African-American candidate."
Jennifer Bell, Ben Cardin Supporter: "From what I can tell, a lot of people say wait a minute. Michael Steele? Oh, that's the black guy. Oh yeah I saw him on television."
Trish Regan: "Maryland voters have seen him on TV in a unique set of ads known as the puppy ads."
Michael Steele, Maryland Lieutenant Governor: "Soon your TV will be jammed with negative ads from the Washington crowd. Grainy pictures and spooky music saying Steele hates puppies and worse. For the record, I love puppies."
Trish Regan: "Putting a cute puppy in your ad might get voters' attention but what's not in the ad may be revealing. Where does it say he's a Republican? Nowhere."
Michael Steele: "Our problems aren't Democrat or Republican problems. They're not red or blue problems. They're real problems. So, if you want to know, I'm a Republican, uh-oh."
Trish Regan: "In this blue state, Democrats are doing their best to paint Steele red.
David Bositis: "It's probably what the Democrats are going to do for the remainder of the campaign is tie him to President Bush.:
Trish Regan: "Analysts say Steele needs 40% of the African-American vote to win. He's currently behind in the polls though. The latest Reuters/Zogby numbers show him trailing by eight points."
Russ Mitchell: "A lot of stuff going on there, but historically how likely is it that 40% of the African-Americans in this race would go Republican."
Trish Regan: "Russ, it's really not that likely. In fact when you look back to say Alan Keyes who ran in Maryland, he only got about 12% of the African-American vote. So it certainly could be a tough road ahead.
