One-On-One With Hillary Clinton

On the eve of the country's biggest presidential primary contest, Super Tuesday, the leading presidential candidates spoke with CBS News anchor Katie Couric about what they have yet to overcome. That ranged from assumptions about temperament to lagging support in key states.

The following is the full transcript of Couric's full discussion with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y.

HILLARY CLINTON: You know, Katie, I'm only gonna talk about my strengths as we move into this Super Tuesday. I think I have the experience and strength of being able to make the changes that the country needs. And I intend to make that case from one coast to the other.

There are differences between us. I have a long record. I believe that I am best prepared to beat the Republicans, be commander in chief on the first day and turn the economy around. And I'm just going to do everything I can today to make that case to those voters who are still undecided.

COURIC: Do you need to win California tomorrow? And if so, why?

CLINTON: Well, I'm working very hard to do well in California. We have a great campaign on the ground, an enormous amount of support. But, you know, I never count anything until it's all over. I don't believe that, you know, you can rest until the last vote is counted. And so, I'm gonna keep working, reaching out to the voters of California during the rest of today and tomorrow, to try to get as big a turn out as possible.

COURIC: Just three weeks ago, our CBS News poll showed you 15 points ahead of Barak Obama nationally. Now, our latest poll shows the two of you dead even. What happened?

CLINTON: Well, you know, I don't pay a lot of attention to these. They go up, they go down. I think we've learned our lessons with New Hampshire and other contests, that the only polling that counts is what voters actually decide themselves. So, I'm gonna wait to see what voters across the country decide to do tomorrow. That's the best poll as far as I'm concerned.

COURIC: And finally, our poll also shows respondents evenly split about whether your husband, President Clinton, has been helpful or hurtful to your campaign. Was there a point in time, Sen. Clinton, where you wanted to tell him back off?

CLINTON: Well, it's my campaign. And I've made that very clear. I have a lot of great supporters who are out there making the case for me. But at the end of the day, there are only two names on the ballot. And I'm presenting myself on the basis of my qualifications, my experience, my ideas and vision for the country. The big difference between my opponent and I over health care and other important issues in the minds of Americans. So, I expect to be judged for who I am and what I'm presenting. And that's what I think the voters expect.

COURIC: He was much more low-key last week or in recent days, compared to prior to the South Carolina primary. Did you advise him in any way to chill out of it?

CLINTON: Well, Katie, I think that it's clear that, you know, the campaign that I'm running is about the future. It's about what we do together to have the kind of America we want, to solve the problems that are awaiting.

I think most Americans think that, you know, he was a very good President who made a lot of positive differences in their lives. And I'm gonna try to be the same kind of President who gets up every day, puts the American people first and goes to work. I'm gonna roll up my sleeves, if given the chance, to solve our problems.

COURIC: Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Clinton, thanks so much.

CLINTON: Great to talk to you. Thanks. Bye bye.