Is this another Howard Dean Flip-Flop?

[Bread and Circus]

I remember a while back when Kerry was trailing Dean,
Kerry asked for a 1 on 1 debate. Dean turned him down,
stating that it was not fair to the other candidates.

Now it seems as if Dean has reversed on this despite
Edwards and Clark probably being as big or a bigger challenge
to Kerry:

"But Dean remained defiant, and boasted Sunday morning on NBC's Meet the Press that voters ultimately will respond to him because he speaks his mind. He also said he welcomed a one-on-one debate challenge, which Kerry issued on the the program a few weeks ago. Dean charges that Kerry is in the hands of special interests because of the money he has taken from lobbyists."

---

Edit: for the record, I like Dean these days, he is speaking
his mind and being free-wheeling. I am not trying to bash him.
It's just that I specifically remember when Kerry was behind
he refused a 1 on 1 debate.

[Bombtrack]

1. It absolutley is.

When Kerry asked for one, Dean said something to the affect of (it wouldn't be fair to the other candidates). He pussied out, plain and simple.

[Nazgul35]

13. So what would you call someone...

who doesn't want to participate in the full debate?

Cause that's what Kerry just did, he bagged out of the Missouri debate...does that make him a pussy too?

BTW, by your logic:

If Dean refuses to debate Kerry 1 on 1 = pussy, than Kerry refusing to debate Dean 1 on 1 = pussy....

[quinnox]

2. This is interesting

I don't know if Kerry will accept the challenge, because it strategically probably isn't a good idea. Why accept a debate with a lagging candidate and risk anything when you are the front-runner. But it also might be a challenge Kerry will find too tempting not to accept.

I understand Deans thinking, it is the same that Kerry campaign had when they were behind. He wants to appear to be the best alternative to Kerry, and put that impression in people's minds.

[Clark Can WIN]

3. Of course it is

poitions are a matter of political expedience for him in this campaign. That being said I hope they both do it and rip each other to bits.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. It's just normal campaign posturing

Lagging candidate challenges frontrunner to one on one debate; frontrunner laughes it off;

they switch places

Lagging candidate challenges frontrunner to one on one debate; frontrunner laughes it off;

and if they switch places it will happen again.

[Bread and Circus]

6. I am glad you are so comfortable with this..

I guess I don't have the stomach for politics. :puke:

A pox on all of our houses.

[Eloriel]

7. If this is a "flip-flop" to you, then perhaps you don't.

[Bread and Circus]

12. If not a flip-flop then what is it...

Yeah, I don't like politics, it really does make me want
to puke.

[BruinAlum]

15. Dean turned it down when it was assumed he was the anointed

front runner. Now that he has fallen on his face and Kerry is the front runner, and gaining in polls leading up to Tuesdays primaries, Dean NOW "changed his mind" (READ: CHANGED HIS MIND) and wants a one on one. That's a flip flop.

[not systems]

5. Sure now will Kerry run and hide? n/t

[zulchzulu]

8. Issue is why should Kerry debate a second-tier candidate over others

Dean's numbers are sinking in the polls and are in the single digits. It would be unfair to Clark and Edwards (top-tier candidates) to not be able to participate in a debate.

Dean should debate LaRouche. Period.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. Dean-Hamm-LaRouche debate?

[Darth_Ole]

10. So does that mean another Kerry flip-flop?

It's all how you look at it.

[dansolo]

11. Remember that is was Kerry who made the challenge

Not Dean.

[DebJ]

16. didn't both Kerry & Dean accept the 1-1 debate on MTP? I could

swear I heard them both accept. Can't wait.

[arewethereyet]

14. of course it is but not one that matters

he has plenty of real flip flops to focus on of real substance.

[anti-NAFTA]

17. Kerry would eat Dean alive.

Although I am now a Dean person, there's no denying that the Boston College Law School-educated veteran (pun not intended) of Washingon politics would destroy the doctor from Vermont.

[chocolateeater]

18. Here is the relevant section in th MTP transcript

MR. RUSSERT: John Kerry was on this program three weeks ago and he issued a challenge to you. Let's watch and get your response:

(Videotape, January 11, 2004):

SEN. KERRY: I'd love to have a face-to-face debate with him. Let's have you and me and Howard Dean together.

(End videotape)

MR. RUSSERT: Do you accept that challenge?

DR. DEAN: Sure.

MR. RUSSERT: Any Sunday...

DR. DEAN: Yeah.

MR. RUSSERT: ...you'll be here?

DR. DEAN: Absolutely.

MR. RUSSERT: I want to talk about...

DR. DEAN: Let's see if he'll accept it.

MR. RUSSERT: We'll ask. We will ask.
Looks to me like he just changed his mind about accepting Kerry's challenge, not that he issued a challenge to Kerry.