FTN: Transcript excerpt

[DJcairo]

BS: With regard to why you went easy on him (Dean) in New Mexico, he said
"I wish he (JK) would say to my face what he says behind my back." So,
have you decided to go easy on him now?

JK: (laughs) Well, first of all, Bob, we are doing very well. These
races aren't decided in August. It was always clear there would be a race
and I welcome it.

Second, with respect to the comment you just made, I welcome Governor
Dean's challenge. If he wants a challenge and he wants us to go face to
face, I accept. Let's get together and let's have a debate and let's talk
about the real issues for the country and show people the difference
between us. And maybe you want to moderate that? We could do it in Iowa;
we could do it in New Hampshire. I'm perfectly willing to do it. In
those one minute exchanges with 9 people on stage, it's very, very
difficult to really get at it and express differences between candidates.
So, I welcome the opportunity to do that one on one with Governor Dean and
I'm glad he wants to do it.

BS: OK, well, you say you'll be there and I'll be there. That's two of
us. If we can get...

JK (interrupts): I look forward to it.

BS: If we can get Governor Dean to do that, I'll see what we can do about
that...(went on to say they could do it on Face the Nation, etc. but
that's not the important part, so I quit!)

[dkf]

1. sad sad sad

Sen. Kerry,

Dump Jordan. He's leading you astray.

[blm]

2. It was a fair parry to Dean's snarky remark to the press.

Or is that supposed to go unnoticed and unjudged?

[disgruntella]

3. THANK YOU!

Dean initiates request for debate; Kerry responds affirmatively to casual question about it. And somehow this gets twisted into arrogance on Kerry's part?

Dean supporters -- all your whining on this non-issue is frankly NOT helping your candidate! You all may as well be campaigning for Kerry, as that is the net effect in my eyes!