Kerry Wants One-On-One Debate With Dean

[Nambe]

Associated Press

John Kerry wants to go one-on-one with Democratic White House rival Howard Dean.

Kerry issued the challenge for a face-to-face debate during an appearance on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

He had been asked about recent comments from Dean following a debate in Albuquerque, N.M., in which Kerry refrained from directly attacking Dean. Afterward, Dean said: "I wish he'd say to my face what he says behind my back."

In response, Kerry said Sunday that he'd welcome a debate with just the two men on the stage. ---

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[Cha]

1. Bring it on!

Great idea! A one on One! A Real Debate not some watered down forum..

[joeybee12]

2. NOT a great idea!

Dean is definitely the front-runner--Kerry is trying to put himself in the same league as Dean by offering the debate--you know, be with the front-runner so you beceom a front-runner also--guilt by association. Pretty cunning, but don't be fooled.

[Cha]

8. I have so much to learn about politics....I just thought it would

get some fog cleared...but I see your point.

[TheDonkey]

16. Not really, no...

Howard Dean is not the "front-runner" you think he is. Yes, he has small leads in certain polls but that is far from being comfy enough to say he's the front runner.

These 1 on 1 debates will give BOTH canidates more air-time so I don't understand Deanies being worried about Kerry getting more exposure. It would be very beneficial too if we can cleary see Kerry and Dean discuss their differences. I think all canidates should have this option to engage one another publicly as well as the 9-10 of them in the national debate. It is a service to us voters more than to eithers poll numbers.

If Dean is going to claim he'd like Kerry to say his negative remarks ot his face and get a response, he should be happy to get this 1 on 1 out of the way and leave the national debate to expanding on his plans for the future of the US.

[trogdor]

51. Kerry IS in the same league as Howard Dean.

That's the fact, jack, and this is coming from a Dean supporter. It would be SWELL if some of the also-rans like Al Sharpton were to drop out at some point because it would make debates like this possible. Imagine a round robin format where you get two faces a night between now and the Iowa caucuses. Everybody eventually gets to go one on one against everybody else, and the background noise is kept to a minimum. With four candidates, it's easy, but with nine (possibly ten), it gets REALLY complicated.

[pmbryant]

3. Ridiculous

I'm sure every one of the other non-frontrunners would like a 1-on-1 debate with the frontrunner.

:eyes:

--Peter

[VolcanoJen]

4. One-on-One debates are forthcoming.

We'll get there, soon enough.

Unfortunately for Kerry, however, those debates will likely involve Howard Dean vs. Wesley Clark...

[w13rd0]

5. Um...no...

...why? There are plenty of debates, why does Kerry wish to exclude all the other candidates?

[FullCountNotRecount]

7. Reagan tricked Bush when Bush did this in '80

And invited all the other candidates to come in after the debate started. They all stood behind Reagan and that photo op resonated with Republican voters.

Does anyone remember Reagan's "I paid for this microphone!" tirade.

That was line for line out of "Adam's Rib" with Spencer Tracy saying it. No one was film literate enough at the time to call him on this plagiarism. VCRs weren't widespread to he got away with it. Bush the First could have used this against him I think.

[joeybee12]

9. Not "Adam's Rib" but "State of the Union"

The line you refer to--another great Hepburn-Tracy movie with a really wonderfully bitchy Angela Lansbury.

[NashVegas]

6. Not Sure I Like This

When the Dems started campaigning so early, I wasn't in to it, thought it was putting the cart a little too far ahead of the horse.

I saw the error of my thinking when I realized how they were having a great effect at getting people to discuss issues, and giving moderates, unhappy with Bush, a look at their broad options, as well as plenty of time to like the idea of someone other than Bush in '05 that they didn't hear about for the first time in February '04.

A wide field of candidates and diverse voices is a good thing for the country right now.

[Demobrat]

10. I'm sure all the candidates would like a one-on-one debate with Dean

and the instant frontfunner status that would confer.

[fla nocount]

11. I'm with zidzi.....Bring it on.

One of the eight(soon to be nine)DLC/DNC business as usual candidates vs. the peoples choice. Change vs. another trip down the river. Time to see if Dean has the chutzpah to pull this off, he is getting better. Skull & Bones vs. humanity. Paul Wellstone has to be smiling.

Dr. Dean, please, please walk or drive everywhere you go.

[dkf]

12. To all the Edwards, Graham, Gephardt, Kucinich, Sharpton, Moseley-Braun

supporters.

John Kerry thinks your candidates shouldn't be on the stage at the debates.

How rude.

[joeybee12]

13. And to those candidates...

...can you imagine how they'd react if Dean accepted????? They'd go ballistics. This could really backfire on Kerry.

That said, I wish some of them (Kerry, Dickie G., Holy Joe particularly) would spend one-one hundreth of the time they spend bitching about Dean actually really going after Dumbo. It's not enough to just criticize--the world is in a really scary state of affairs because of Dumbo and his evil henchmen!

[IndianaGreen]

14. DNC didn't want Nader in the Presidential debates either

and it certainly did not want the League of Women Voters to setup the debates, it would have been "too fair" and too much like a real debate. What we got instead was a staged performance, in which the worse candidate acted better than the better candidate.

We allow the third party candidates in our debates for Governor and Senate in Indiana. It makes for a better debate to hear what the Libertarians, Greens, and New Party candidates, for example, have to say on the issues.

[Prag_Idealist]

15. Dean's Response...well Trippi's

Response to Jim Jordan
Jim Jordan
Campaign Manager
Kerry for President

Dear Jim:

I received and reviewed your letter inviting Governor Dean to participate in a series of one-on-one debates with Senator Kerry at the exclusion of the other seven candidates running for the Democratic nomination.

As you know, there have been and will continue to be numerous forums and debates that will provide the opportunity for each of the candidates to discuss the issues, to debate their ideas and address their differences with Governor Dean – or any other candidate -- directly. In fact, just last week, Representative Kucinich highlighted the difference between his position and that of Dick Gephardt on the pre-emptive war in Iraq. Specifically, he said, “I just want to say that when you were standing there in the Rose Garden with the president and you were giving him advice, I wish that you would have told him no, because as our Democratic leader, your position helped to inform mightily the direction of the war.”

As you may recall, during the debate in New Mexico, Senator Joe Lieberman challenged Governor Dean’s position on trade, saying – correctly or incorrectly – that it would lead to a “Dean Depression.”

Senator Kerry will continue to have ample opportunity to debate the differences between himself and Governor Dean during the upcoming candidate forums in New York, Arizona and Michigan.

Jim, there are nine candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for President – each with his or her own ideas and policies and each with the goal of defeating George Bush next November. For ANY candidate to suggest otherwise is presumptuous.

Governor Dean’s campaign has been about returning democracy to the hands of the American people. We believe it is up to the American people to narrow the field – through the democratic nominating process – and not for any one candidate to subvert this process simply because “that suits us.”

We trust the American people to decide what suits them.

Sincerely,

Joe Trippi

It was posted to the Dean blog.
http://www.blogforamerica.com/

[Mz Pip]

17. If everyone else drops out

Kerry will have his chance. But since that hasn't happened Kerry will just have to wait his turn on the packed stage. Wishful thinking on Kerry's part.

MzPip
:dem:

[0rganism]

18. not just wishful thinking on Kerry's part, mine too

I'd love to see Dean and Kerry debate. They're both smart people who would do a lot to clarify one-another's positions.

Plus, the more Democratic debates there are, the more the Democratic take(s) on issues comes up in the media. THIS IS A GOOD THING.

[belab13]

19. Kerry is just toying with the "waffler"

I'm sure he's not expecting a response.

[HazMat]

20. Trippi knows Kerry would kill Dean in a real debate

Kerry's an extremely tough debater, there is absolutely no denying that.

These are "events", not debates. If the party wants true debate there needs to be much more time alloted for each candidate. A minute each for nine candidates is only good enough for a sound bite or sniping, like what occured between Lieberman and Dean.

Kerry's not stupid enough to fall into the trap Lieberman has. The 2 second soundbite works to the advantage of small minded, barking hot-heads like Bush or Dean, not an intelligent, articulate statesman like Kerry.

[Malva Zebrina]

21. Oh for Pete's sake

the country is going into the toilet and we have Kerry challenging another Democrat? Pullleeese--I think I am worth more than this nonsense. We have killed thousands of people on a lie of the Bush, and we now have a Democrat, Kerry, building up this kind of shit? Am I the only one who thinks there are more important things to be done than to fight a "war" against another competitive Democrat? This is disgusting.

[DrFunkenstein]

24. Save Your Disgust

Kerry was RESPONDING to a challenge Dean made, but is afraid to back up:

"I wish he'd say to my face what he says behind my back," Dean said before disappearing behind the door, a grimace on his face.

"I just wish he had given me a chance to respond to all that stuff — the zero experience on foreign affairs, the NRA stuff, the tax cut stuff," Dean said.

"I would have liked to have responded to that in person," Dean said, relishing the thought of getting mouthy with Kerry.
--

Maybe it's this part that worries Dean:

Rivals hope his campaign will implode, and Dean said he knows one way that could happen.

"I do have a mouth on me," the former Vermont governor said aboard a small charter plane taking him here from Albuquerque, N.M., site of the first major debate of the 2004 race.

"That is, I generally say what I think so I get in trouble," Dean said.

Could he hurt himself? "If I blew up in a debate or something like that, yes," Dean said. "But I haven't done that in 16 years of debates."

[Malva Zebrina]

25. Right

focus the fight and the energy on each other rather than the fascist dictator that is taking this country into ruin. Right-=forget about Bush and all of his minions. Forget about the bully pulpit that allows Bush to take all of the headlines, appearing to be "in control"==forget about all of the happenings since Bush has been taking us down the road to ruin for the past three years---what is REALLY imortant--what is REALLY the MOST important, is tha Kerry fight Dean-- Yeah

it is just an easy way to avoid the issues, and meanwhile Bush gets to capitatlize on the time that Kerry and Dean spend attacking each other. How STUPID =how immature of Kerry to respond to this== he does not show me that he has an incliniation to take the bull by the horns==and this shows me he is willing to focus on superficial issues-- idiot

\

[DrFunkenstein]

28. How Immature?

He was asked about this on Face The Nation! He was being baited to attack back, but instead did the right thing and proposed giving Dean what he wanted - a chance to really address these issues in more than one minute.

[stickdog]

27. Dean wishes the DLC's Kerry would stop using Lieberman to attack him.

Kerry figures that if he got 50% of the time in a debate it would be a lot harder for viewers to use all of his response time for fridge and bathroom breaks.

[DrFunkenstein]

29. But...I Thought Dean Was The Pragmatic Centrist

Why would Kerry's ability to reach out to the center be worse than Dean actually occupying it? Could it be because he never accepted a PAC or soft-money contribution in any of his Senate races?

[HazMat]

33. Maybe he's from the democratic wing of the Democratic Party this week ?

:shrug:

[blm]

45. Dean IS a DLC centrist. Why pretend he isn't?

.

[belab13]

37. Kerry was RESPONDING to a challenge Dean made, but is afraid to back up: y

you got that right!!!!

[HazMat]

22. "If he wants a challenge and he wants us to go face-to-face, I accept,"

said Kerry. "Let's get together. Let's have a debate."

[DrFunkenstein]

23. I Love Watching The Dean People Spin For Queensbury Rules

Knowing full well that they are dying to see Dean stick it to Kerry. Zidzi's evolving comments beautifully demonstrate the process. It sucks having to fall in line, but I guess that's politics.

[HazMat]

32. like Bush, Dean needs his handlers to protect him

Dean can talk tough in a controlled setting, but knows there's no way he can face off with someone like Kerry, where he would have to deal with real arguments and facts.

Kerry's response to Dean's thuggery was perfect:

"If he wants a challenge and he wants us to go face-to-face, I accept. Let's get together. Let's have a debate."

You're dealing with a former Iran Contra prosecutor, Governor, not Matt Lauer.

It's wise for Dean to scurry away. Trippi knows that his corporate media created frontrunner stands no chance in a real debate.

[IndianaGreen]

41. Like Bush, Kerry doesn't trust the democratic process

Who the hell does he think he is to unilaterally decide to exclude other candidates from a debate?

Well, after all, Kerry also thought that it was a good idea for the US to unilaterally invade Iraq...

[w4rma]

26. I've no problem with this, but Dean can't accept because other candidates

will complain and may start having their own one-on-ones or debates without Kerry or Dean. If Dean accepted it would turn into a real mess.

I think this will backfire on Kerry with supporters of the other 7 or 8 candidates.

[DrFunkenstein]

30. Darn Those Queensbury Rules! Foiled Again!

I'm sure Dean would kick Kerry's ass in a debate. After the way he tore up Tim Russert, Kerry wouldn't stand a chance.

[TrueBlueDem]

31. I'm all for it!

In fact, I think there should be a whole series of one-on-one matches: First Howard vs. John. Then Denny vs. Carol, Holy Joe vs. Rev. Al...

Then maybe we could try tag teams!

Seriously, though, as much as I would like to see Dean and Kerry face off, I doubt it would be very illuminating or useful to anyone in the electorate besides those who have ruled out all other candidates except those two.

[pasadenaboy]

34. If Kerry would have asked when he was the frontrunner,

I'm sure he would have gotten a debate from Gov. Dean.

It makes sense to me he would want a debate now that he is getting beaten and the nomination isn't the coronation everyone thought it might be. It also makes sense to me that the frontrunner would say no.

[LiberalTexan]

35. Nice Try, Kerry

But free publicity you will not get. I would be steamed if I were a supporter of any of the OTHER candidates who he just brushed aside as not being important enough to debate with.

[Dr Fate]

36. Kerry's right- they should debate...

Thats what good old-fashioned politics is supposed to be-dbate- not tit for tat and media rumors...

Dean should accept this challenge ASAP. What's wrong with MORE debate? It's how we get tot the ISSUES.

[IndianaGreen]

42. What about the other candidates?

Or is Kerry now wanting to adopt the GOP method of candidate selection, as he has their foreign policy?

[Dr Fate]

55. I guess the rest of them better follow strict DLC rules then...

...and not have special one on one debates- that would "stir things up" wouldnt it?

We cant have Democrats stepping out of the box, generating buzz and trying new approaches, now can we?

DEMS better do SOMTHING to generate interest in the candidates- this may be one approach...

[belab13]

38. Come On People; Put on your shit detectors

and ask yourself, does deano have what it takes?


personally, I think the man has more holes than a piece of swiss cheese. and yes Kerry would be the odds on favorite in a one on one debate. Kerry's a rehearsed statesman and Dean .. is not IMO...



Kerry 2004

[Dr Fate]

39. It could generate excitment for both candidates...

...It might be interesting to see candidates break the mold of expected behavior...DEMS need to generate buzz, and a one on one this early might raise eyebrows but also interest...

[He loved Big Brother]

40. All this debate would be is

Dean attacking Bush's record, and Kerry attacking Dean's. *Yawn*

Most of the sitting members of Congress running for President need to concentrate on cleaning up the horrid mess that they helped get this country into (thanks!), not aiming for an even higher office. Since they are too timid to attack Bush, they should be grateful someone like Dean has stepped up to offer his help. The man is a stellar candidate.

As usual, Kerry has not yet figured out who the real enemy is.

[DrFunkenstein]

46. You Have A Very Strange Memory Of This Race

Kerry has been attacking Bush consistently while Dean has been attacking Kerry's war vote. Remember Dean-Lite? Remember "He's copying my internet tactics?"

Now that Kerry is calling out Howard "I just wish he would let me respond to this stuff" Dean, Dean supporters are all whining about parliamentary procedure.

The bitter truth is that beyond his opposition to the current Iraq resolution Dean is a complete lightweight on foreign policy. That is, when he is not completely compromising himself to AIPAC and the Likud party.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

43. Kerry can explain his attack with all candidates present...

He doesn't need to exclude the other candidates to make his attack face to face. Dean is right to ignore this as a publicity stunt on Kerry's part. If I was an Edwards, Gephardt, or Lieberman supporter (the other three who actually have a chance of winning the nomination), I'd be pissed at such an arrangement.

- C.D.

[DrFunkenstein]

48. Listen To The Spin - Now It's Kerry Attacking!

"I wish he'd say to my face what he says behind my back," Dean said before disappearing behind the door, a grimace on his face.

"I just wish he had given me a chance to respond to all that stuff — the zero experience on foreign affairs, the NRA stuff, the tax cut stuff," Dean said.

"I would have liked to have responded to that in person," Dean said, relishing the thought of getting mouthy with Kerry.

[blm]

49. Dean's attacks go unnoticed and unjudged, once again.

Thanks to the Kool-Aid.

[DrFunkenstein]

50. I Always Know That At Least One Person Has A Memory

:hi:

[JNelson6563]

44. I think it's a bad idea

at this point to exclude the other candidates. It smacks of snobbery IMO.

The way I see it, this sort of thing would be more acceptable when other candidates drop out.

The challenge is an improvement though over the frustrated muttering of "Dean! Dean! Dean!!"

My only question of the little flies buzzing so much in this thread, taking shot after shot at a Dem candidate (like their candidate--mistaking other Dems as the enemy) if Dean wins the nom, what will you do?

Julie

[DrFunkenstein]

47. Snobbery!

Who is the snob here?


He has already had to apologize for at least two caustic comments leveled at foes. In March, he accused Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina of avoiding talking about his support of the Iraq war before an anti-war audience. In June, Dean described Sen. Bob Graham of Florida as "not one of the top-tier candidates," a remark he regretted.

--

"I wish he'd say to my face what he says behind my back," Dean said before disappearing behind the door, a grimace on his face.

"I just wish he had given me a chance to respond to all that stuff — the zero experience on foreign affairs, the NRA stuff, the tax cut stuff," Dean said.

"I would have liked to have responded to that in person," Dean said, relishing the thought of getting mouthy with Kerry.

[JNelson6563]

53. how would you feel if you were

one of the other candidates? Nothing like acting as if they don't exist! Oh brother!

Julie

[hippiechick]

52. Kerry is looking scared

WTF was up with him trying to be 'cool like Dean' and jammin' on the guitar last week at some rally ? (no link, I caught it on CSPAN late last night). How coincidental he didn't display his musical talents until after Dean broke out with his and got some positive press ... what next, Lieberman on the Banjo at the Grand Ole Opry ??

How desperate and lame does THAT look ?

Whatever Kerry's got going for him (much), and whatever Dean's faults (and there are some) ... Kerry's looking like a jealous teenager trying to 'out-Dean' Dean.


:hippie:

[DrFunkenstein]

54. Actually, Kerry Was On C-Span Playing In A Guitar Shop

Well before Dean ever tried to play the honky blues. At least Kerry played credibly. Dean's playing was...interesting.

<>

Maybe next time Dean's mouth should stop writing checks his ass can't cash. But I gues it's understandable that he wouldn't want to take on Kerry about policy. Better to stick to "He's Bush-lite."