Reply #22: Dear Trippi,

[flpoljunkie]

Kerry has called out your candidate, Howard Dean, and Howard Dean has flinched.

For those who missed it, the Face the Nation Transcript:

SCHIEFFER: Most people thought at this point that you would be the front-runner. You are not. Howard Dean seems to be lead--be leading both inIowa, where you are now, and in--in New Hampshire, where those early primaries are coming. You have said some pretty tough things about him, and he said the other day, when asked why you kind of went easy on him during the debate in New Mexico, he said, 'I wish he would say to my face what he says behind my back.' Have you decided to go easy on him now?

Sen. KERRY: Well, first of all--first of all, Bob, we're doing very well. These races are not decided in August. It was always clear there would be a race, and I welcome it. Secondly, 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, let's have a debate, and let's talk about the real issues for the country and show people the differences between us. And maybe you want to moderate that. We can do it inIowa. We can do it in New Hampshire. I'm perfectly willing to do it. In those one-minute exchanges with nine people on the stage, it's very, very difficult to really get at and explain the 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.

SCHIEFFER: All right. Well, you say you will be there. I'll be there. That's two of us. If we can get...

Sen. KERRY: I'll look forward to it.

SCHIEFFER: ...if we can get Governor Dean to do that, I'll see what we can do about that, and maybe I could even get a little extra time on FACE THE NATION. So, Doyle.

Sen. KERRY: Well, I'd be happy to do it, and let's find the right place, the right time. We could find an hour out inIowa, I think people would love to see the differences between us.