It seems to me that McClellan is addressing someone right at the end of this excerpt named Terry ... and that Terry makes reference to Jeff (the second to last 'Q' in this excerpt) as the one who brings up Kerry's post-service behavior.Q Are you ready to take questions on a different subject?
MR. McCLELLAN: We're still on this topic, right?
Q Since there have been so many questions about what the President was doing over 30 years ago, what is it that he did after his honorable discharge from the National Guard? Did he make speeches alongside Jane Fonda, denouncing America's racist war in Vietnam? Did he testify before Congress that American troops committed war crimes in Vietnam? And did he throw somebody else's medals at the White House to protest a war America was still fighting? What was he doing after he was honorably discharged?
MR. McCLELLAN: We've already commented on some of his views relating back to that period the other day. And, obviously, this was a time period also when he was going to get his MBA at Harvard. But the President was certainly proud to serve in the National Guard.
Q And would the White House consider those actions by Senator Kerry, that Jeff mentions fair game in the political season?
MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, I think -- I know that that's a way to try to draw us into a Democratic primary that is ongoing.
Q You're there, my friend. (Laughter.)
I missed the press conference and probably won't be home tonight in time to catch any re-runs. But from the part of this transcript I skimmed, no one has exaggerated the ugliness and viciousness of the media.