Kerry on Face The Nation

[clar]

I'm not a Kerry supporter, but I think he did a good job this morning.
Despite his vote for the IWR (which really drove me nuts, particularly in light of his no vote on GWI- yes I've read his speech) I think he'd be a good President. Still have doubts about his viability as a candidate, but I think he's been approving lately, honing his message and speaking directly to the electorate.

President Clinton is right. We have great candidates. With the exception of Joe, they all bring great things to the table.

[molly]

1. He challenged DEAN to a debate!!!

will he accept!

[clar]

2. I imagine so

At least I hope so. I think it would be a good thing.

[blm]

4. You got it wrong, molly...he ACCEPTED Dean's challenge

to go face to face. Kerry turned Dean's heated words into a proposal for debate that Kerry accepted. Heh. Smart maneuver.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Lord knows Kerry needs the publicity.

Definately a smart maneuver. If you can't generate it yourself, grab hold of someone elses. No one said he was stupid.

[blm]

27. No, if someone is going to accuse you of something

then make them put up or shut up.

[molly]

19. Face the Nation accepted also - 2 out 3 said yes

now we just need to wait for Dean's answer.

[LuminousX]

34. Common Tactic

The candidate who is trailing challenges the front-runner to a debate.

Right now it is too early to have a two candidate debate. Kerry is doing what I've been hoping he would do a long time ago, assume the mantle of leadership he rightfully should be wearing. Unfortunately, he is a bit too focused on Dean and not focused enough on Bush, but it is still early.

He is, unfortunately, doing a disservice to the other candidates, but I suspect they all want Dean removed from the top of the list and are willing to let Kerry be the Hitman. Dean would be an idiot if he accepted the debate at this time. He has too much to lose and not enough to gain by debating Kerry.

After the first four primaries, then a debate between the two can be joined. Dean will either have enough momentum that it won't matter or will have lost a few primaries and will need a way to get back on top. Ditto for Kerry. Right now? It wouldn't be a debate that would interest the nation, it would be a debate to interest the supporters of two candidates.

I can already hear Sharpton's criticism.

[tsipple]

3. Re: Dean Debate Challenge

Don't they have debates? Lots of them?

If he's asking for a one-on-one debate, wouldn't it make sense to also include Gephardt, who's well ahead of Kerry in Iowa? And maybe Lieberman, who still tops national polls?

[clar]

5. I don't see anything wrong

with a debate between any two or more of the candidates on a Sunday news show, but I see your point about it being exclusionary.

[blm]

6. Context. The interview used Dean's own words for Kerry to

speak to his face. A face to face challenge. Kerry is taking Dean up on that challenge.

[tsipple]

8. For the record...

Dean did not say "face to face... with a TV camera." Although the idea intrigues me, assuming the other candidates get the same chance. Or maybe they can carve out some specific time during the next debate for Kerry and Dean to talk with each other, assuming the other candidates agree.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Nor did he say "debate."

Kerry needs publicity. Can't generate his own. So....

[DrFunkenstein]

11. Do I Sense Nervousness About A One On One Debate?

I thought Dean people would be hungry for this - a real chance for Dean to demonstrate why he is the better choice.

[clar]

12. What am I? Chopped liver?

I know you were replying to a specific poster, but you implied that all or most Dean supporter were nervous about a one on one debate.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. I'm Hoping That You Are Not Chopped Liver

Cause that would just be spooky.

Sorry about the sweeping generalization.

[liberalnurse]

36. I was always told you should not feed raw meat to puppies.

n/t

[Feanorcurufinwe]

29. Dean did not say "face to face... with a TV camera."

hmmm... maybe they should duke it out in a back room?

[Rose Siding]

7. Yes, but til now Kerry has shied

from confrontation in person, leaving it to Lieberman.

[molly]

13. Did Dean and Lieberman have a one-on-one debate?

I must have missed that.

[Rose Siding]

15. You missed the Dem debates?

You should watch. You'd see that the candidates can address one another even when other candidates are present. It's very civil, honest and mature.

[molly]

17. No - the one-on-one between Lieberman and Dean

without the other candidates. I didn't hear about Dean challenging anyone but Kerry. I like one-on-ones - kind of like a boxing match instead of a horse race.

[DrFunkenstein]

16. A 9 Candidate Debate Is About Soundbites

And I find it personally very frustrating, because it is - by necessity - just fluff answers.

[DJcairo]

23. Actually Kerry has topped 2 of the last 3 polls

Dean topped the Zogby one.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

18. Since I missed this show...

and because there's another thread discussing the challenge to Dean to debate, what else did Kerry say on FTN?

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DrFunkenstein]

26. My First Deleted Message!

I'm glad I went down defending a Dean supporter!

[RevolutionStartsNow]

30. What happened? I missed it? Did you defend me?

Not sure what I said that sparked a message that would get deleted. I just asked how Kerry did on FTN, because I didn't see it. Yikes.

[Rose Siding]

22. That's what I was wondering!

Did he discuss any policy alternatives? Did he explain why he missed the NCLB funding vote that would have forced Cheney/Bush to come out directly against funding by breaking the tie? Did he offer any criticism of Bush or the repubs?

Or was it all "Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean, Dean" again?

[DrFunkenstein]

24. Two Things

1. Kerry and Edwards promised up front to be there if Daschle said their votes were needed. They are busy campaigning across the country. They can't do it from DC, just like Dean can't do it from Vermont. If the Minority Leader had explained the situation, I'm sure both of them would have gone. So you're basically taking a cheap shot on that one.

2. Kerry was resonding with class to a question that was clearly baiting him to attack Dean. Much like on MTP, when he was baited into calling Bush a dumbass frat boy, but instead said that Bush was a likable guy who wanted to do well, but was a bumbling incompetent. Kerry has class. Just because you are brought up around wealth doesn't mean you have it. I think the original comments that started this proved that.

[molly]

25. He answered ALL of the question asked of him

did you miss the show? It was only a handful of minutes.

[blm]

28. They tried to hit Kerry with Dean's insult about him.

Kerry handled it gracefully and coolly accepted Dean's heated challenge.

[chimpymustgo]

32. Can somebody fill in the details? What was the original challenge?

When, where?

Though I don't think it would be kosher for the 2 of them to have their own debate. McAuliffe won't go for, I'd bet. It's too much of an advantage for Kerry.

[tsipple]

31. If Terry McAuliffe and the DNC Agree...

...I'm OK with one-on-one debates. That's the only condition I'd have. Terry McAuliffe and the DNC are there to decide what's best for the party as a whole, and I'm sure both John Kerry and Howard Dean are good Democratic Party members.

[DrFunkenstein]

33. Now Terry Is The Dean Supporter's Best Friend!

I can remember a time not so long ago where Terry was less appreciated.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

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