[This program aired 4/23/02]
BEGALA: Welcome back to CROSSFIRE.
The Washington whispers column of "U.S. News and World Report" this week has
the following tidbit. "The GOP whisper campaign to boycott CNN's Crossfire
has become official policy. Top leaders have told members not to go on the
show because they feel co-hosts James Carville and Paul Begala are unfair to
them and their views."
Well, I have a message for the nameless, gutless whimperers out there. Quit
whining. Unlike some other shows, we here at CROSSFIRE actually present both
sides of the issue. Every single night, we welcome the leading lights of the
Republican right on to battle against their ideological foes. Carville and I
make no apologies for being tough, nor do Tucker and Bo. That's what makes
this show is different.
Look, if you want namby-pamby one-sided arguments go to Fox. But if you're
tough enough and you're smart enough to go toe-to-toe with people who actually know how to debate, welcome to CNN. Welcome to the new CROSSFIRE