(transcript of phone conversation between Mark Halperin, ABC News Political Director and Karl Rove, 10/16/04)
KARL: Hey Mark
MARK: Hey Ssmip (Single Smartist Man in Politics)
KARL: About your 2 for 3 thing...
MARK: Yea, the Note was the first. I told you I'd get that idea out there, Karl!
KARL: I know. But I think you're wrong.
MARK: What. But I don't understand. You told me at the Palm, last February, that was the organizing principle of your electoral strategy. You brought that cool little chart, with all those numbers and fun red and blue stickers and told me it was impossible to win the Presidency without going two for three in FLOHPA. Those were your exact words!!
KARL: Mark, my boy, I know. But let's just forget about the OHPA part for a minute..
MARK: Forget! Forget?! I've staked my career on this, Karl. I've told readers for months to look at who is winning 2-3, now you tell me to forget. Damn it! I'm so pissed I'm going for a Diet Coke!
(as Halperin heads to the official ABC News vending machine) ...more, click below...
KARL: Calm down or you can forget about getting anything before Drudge does. Look, we can win Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota and Ohio can go fuck themselves.
MARK: But you haven't lead in Minnesota all year and isn't it a little risky to pin your electoral hopes on Wisconsin? (in an aside)Excuse me, do you have change for a dollar, damn thing ate my dollar. Lisa, don't you have 4 quarters. I know. Karl is on the phone. Not good. I need a Diet Coke. I know. Just give me the, thanks...Karl, sorry, Karl?
KARL: We will win Florida, trust me.
MARK: I know, I talked to Jeb yesterday. You don't know what I went through to torpedo a few lines about the shit going on down there Peter was going to read on air last night.
KARL: Look, just drop the 2-3 thing ok. It was fun for a while but just drop it. Karen has about had it with you. Just drop it.
MARK: Ok. Call me next week. I'm nervous about this.
KARL: Ok. Bye.
MARK: Bye, oh wait...you still owe me 20 bucks for...(dial tone) shit!