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CNN's 'Election Express' on a roll
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The Election Express sits outside the "American Morning" studios in New York, near Radio City Music Hall, before heading to New Hampshire.
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SPECIAL REPORT
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- A mere five minutes into its inaugural journey, CNN's "Election Express" was pulled over by police.
A New York City cop flagged down the bus at the intersection of Park Avenue and 54th Street, the middle of America's biggest city, and motioned for driver Ray Albee to open the door.
But rather than request Albee's license and registration, the policeman asked, "Where are you heading?"
To which CNN senior executive producer Sam Feist, popping in from the first set of seats, responded, "New Hampshire. Look for us on TV tomorrow."
And so the Election Express rolled onward and northward, into the frigid December night.
The next day, December 9, 2003, CNN staked its claim as the first and only major news network to have a full-size, election-themed vehicle -- a staple on the campaign trail in recent years -- at that night's Democratic debate.
By the time the election ends -- on November 2, 2004 -- the Election Express will have racked up thousands of miles carrying as many as 15 CNN correspondents, anchors and crew members at a time to political hotspots nationwide.
Decked out in red, white and blue, the vehicle's interior serves as a TV control room -- complete with computer, video, satellite and videophone equipment -- where the network's crew can create, rework and transmit data around the world.
A little bit country
Through its doors, presidential contenders and voters alike can kick back in a legitimately down-home, country feel: Before its purchase and re-outfitting by CNN, the bus belonged to hard-core country music star Hank Williams Jr.
CNN logos and equipment dominate the interior, but traces of the bearded crooner live on in diamond-shaped overhead lights and star and octopus-like details adorning the cabin.
"Crossfire" host Paul Begala did bring a Williams' CD aboard the bus for its first trip, but political debate more than musical tunes now reverberates inside the Election Express.
The bus stopped at the Merrimack Restaurant in Manchester, where dozens of White House hopefuls have schmoozed patrons since 1980.
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After an all-night drive from CNN headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, Begala and co-host Tucker Carlson officially launched the bus when they welcomed aboard "American Morning" host Soledad O'Brien in midtown Manhattan on December 8, 2003.
Al Sharpton -- fresh from hosting "Saturday Night Live" -- joined "Crossfire" later in the day to become the first Democratic hopeful to appear in front of the bus, then parked across the street from Radio City Music Hall.
Minutes after that show wrapped, Carlson and Begala -- cell phones buzzing to get fallout from former Vice President Al Gore's endorsement of Howard Dean -- joined weary CNN producers, engineers and public relations specialists on the Election Express.
After a pit stop at McDonald's and overnight stay in Manchester, New Hampshire, the bus chugged into Durham, home of the University of New Hampshire and that night's debate.
The next day, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards became the first Democratic contender to board the Election Express outside the Merrimack Restaurant in downtown Manchester, an essential dining destination en route to the White House. (Full story)
Hours later, Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich became the second Democratic hopeful to hop on the bus.
A national tour
After the New Hampshire trip, the bus returned to Atlanta for more outfitting in preparation for its next trip to Iowa -- January 19, date of the state's party caucuses, first binding election in the 2004 presidential cycle.
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Tucker Carlson, left, and Paul Begala, introduce the Election Express to the world during an interview with CNN anchor Soledad O'Brien.
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After a second stop in New Hampshire, the Election Express will swing down to South Carolina and eventually across the country to California on March 2, when many experts expect one Democratic candidate will emerge after that day's caucus and 10 primaries.
The bus will cool for a spell before setting up shop in the Northeast -- first in Boston, Massachusetts, for July's Democratic National Convention, then on to New York City for the Republican Party's four-day soiree.
Down the homestretch, the Express will follow the major party candidates as they canvass the country for votes leading to Election Day in November.
A rotating cast of CNN personnel will hop aboard for the rides, following candidates and the news while producing and transmitting video and online segments.
"Crossfire" and "Judy Woodruff's Inside Politics" will regularly originate from the bus, as will dispatches from CNN.com correspondents.
