Jim Jordan's Letter to Joe Trippi on Kerry's blog

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.blog.johnkerry.com/blog/

Kerry Offers One-on-One With Dean

Earlier today on Face the Nation, John Kerry offered to debate Howard Dean one-on-one. Kerry campaign manager Jim Jordan sent the letter below, which includes the exchange on Face the Nation, to Joe Trippi, Dean's campaign manager. Trippi subsequently declined the offer.

JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT
September 14, 2003
Mr. Joe Trippi
Campaign Manager
Dean for America

Joe:

I assume you saw this morning that Senator Kerry accepted Governor Dean’s challenge to meet face to face, to air their differences and lay out their competing visions for the Democratic Party and for the world.

Specifically, Senator Kerry reacted to Bob Schieffer’s question on Face the Nation about the following line from Governor Dean, as reported by the Associated Press:

Less than an hour later, Dean was visiting his new campaign headquarters where he fielded more than a dozen questions at an impromptu news conference. As aides pulled him inside, Dean was asked whether he was surprised that rival John Kerry did not criticize him in Thursday's debate.

"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.

Kerry had obviously gotten under his skin.

Under Governor Dean’s skin or not, Senator Kerry agrees that it’s past time for the two of them to stand together and say to each others’ faces, and more importantly to the voters of the Democratic Party, where they stand on the issues that matter, to lay our clearly where they agree and disagree.

Mr. Schieffer helpfully offered to moderate the first such debate (the first in series, Senator Kerry proposes), perhaps in Iowa. That suits us.

Please can call me at your earliest convenience to discuss the possibilities. You can reach me at 202 548-6800 or by email at [e-mail]. I look forward to speaking with you.

Sincerely,

Jim Jordan

Cc: Bob Schieffer

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

1. Comparing Trippi's and Jordan's letters is funny!

Kerry had obviously gotten under his skin.

WOW! Hey you little brat, meet me after school on the playground and we will duke this out!

Kerry needs a new campaign manager. Jordan is bringing Kerry down faster than a brick in water. I can't believe they were proud enough to share that letter with their supporters.

[DJcairo]

3. Well, Trippi did first so take that!

The point is Dean asked for Kerry to say "it" to his face and Kerry has taken him up on it but Dean says no. Who's at fault here?

[Egnever]

4. Rofl

poor kerry just cant get a point across in a minute and a half.And therein lies the heart of all of his problems.

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

9. The point is...

that the LETTERS, which is what I was referring to, have completely different levels of ability to communicate. Jordan's letter is that of a bully trying to goad someone into a fight. Trippi's is one of eloquence that explains why he doesn't need to engage Kerry and how unfair it is to the democratic process by trying to get extra debate time.

Jordan, mistakenly, also just qualified Dean as the undisputed frontrunner. Afterall, a boxer will nationally and publically ask for a fight with the heavy weight champion, not someone that just anyone could beat. Jordan is holding Dean in high regard these days.

Dean Dean Dean Dean

[Egnever]

2. This is really too bad

I am starting to grimace any time I see Kerry's campaign try to make a move.

Kerry is a good candidate and has the resume to support him being president. But his campaign is being so horribly mismanaged it is begining to make him look like a buffoon. Please for the love of god and your own self interest Mr. kerry fire your campaign staff and start over. Your resume could take you far but your campaign is sinking you fast.

[babzilla]

5. uh, only Dean didn't extend a challenge to accept

Jim is panicking to save his job and his ass.

Senator Kerry accepted Governor Dean’s challenge to meet face to face, to air their differences and lay out their competing visions for the Democratic Party and for the world.

The description of the so-called challenge is sooo cloak and dagger.

Less than an hour later, Dean was visiting his new campaign headquarters where he fielded more than a dozen questions at an impromptu news conference. As aides pulled him inside, Dean was asked whether he was surprised that rival John Kerry did not criticize him in Thursday's debate.
"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.


This is too funny. I love politics.

[w4rma]

6. 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.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. This explains why:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=337432

[w4rma]

15. Hilarious! (n/t)

[Rose Siding]

8. Did they post it with the typo?

Did they send it with the typo?

[Ediacara]

10. accepting a challenge not offered

and I had so much respect for Kerry.....

[dkf]

11. I'll say it again.

Sen. Kerry,

Dump Jordan. He is turning you into a laughingstock.

[DrFunkenstein]

12. Little Puppies Just Running Wild When I'm Not Around

Yes, Dean did send up a challenge. Let's roll the tape:

"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.

----

Apparently, the only thing Dean is relishing now is his own hot dog.

[dean4america]

13. whatever.

where in that bunch of words does Dean says "I want to debate John Kerry one-on-one" ?

As Joe Trippi so professionally pointed out, other candidates have attacked other candidates at the debates and forums - with 7 other candidates in teh race, that is the proper place to have it out. Kerry isn't even in teh top two in most polls; he's trying to make something out of nothing... and Jordan's looking like a fool trying to orchestrate this whole thing.

If Kerry makes it to the general election, the first thing he needs to do is FIRE jim jordan.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. I'm Sensing That Talking Points Are Being Handed Out

You guys are worse than Republicans! Fire Jim Jordan! You'd like to think so!

Oh, and by the way, how professional is it to teach your dog anti-Kerry tricks?

Now BEGONE before I mention AIPAC again!;)

[Ediacara]

17. more like

a comprehension of English...

[Pavlovs DiOgie]

18. TEACHER!!!

He called me a name again!!! Teacher do something!!!

Damn, let the dog thing go. Kasey is cuter than Kerry...get over it. :)

[DrFunkenstein]

19. Cuter Than Kerry!?!

Just look at that puppy dog...

<>

<>

Ok, you win this time...

[KaraokeKarlton]

20. Cute?

Reminds me of a cross between Lurch and a wrinkly prune.

[deutsey]

21. I always think of Barnabas Collins

Remember? The vampire from Dark Shadows...

And I did even when I was a Kerry supporter, so I don't mean this as a swipe at him!

[DrFunkenstein]

22. Oh, Don't Be A Jerk And Make Me Get Bad Dean Photos

I was joking, silly willy. Although he does have nice eyes.

[KaraokeKarlton]

16. "relishing" was the commentators take, NOT Dean's words

It's not Dean's fault Kerry can't ketchup. :)