Morning Show Wrap, by ABC News Political Unit

N E W Y O R K, September 29, 2004 &#151;<br> -- A product of Noted Now and The Note

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KERRY'S INTERVIEW WITH ABC'S DIANE SAWYER:

"Diane, don't twist here," Sen. John Kerry told ABC's Diane Sawyer when asked if it would be a better thing for Saddam Hussein to be in power. "No, I would not prefer that."

Kerry did not accept the premise that the choice was either to leave Hussein in power or go to war to remove him from power, saying that there were other ways to get rid of Hussein, "Oh, sure there were. Oh, yes there were. Absolutely."

Kerry said what President Bush did "was a mistake" but he added that "we have to succeed now."

On whether the war in Iraq was worth it, Kerry said, "it depends on the outcome ultimately – and that depends on the leadership."

Kerry seemed to agree that if the generals want more troops that he would send them. "You have to protect our troops and you have to have an election," he said.

Kerry added, however, that his "goal is to get our troops out of Iraq" in his first term and that he has "no plans for long-term basing or for long-term presence. This Administration has never denied that, as a matter of fact. I do."

Asked about a report in the Financial Times that the foreign minister of France said that they have no plan to send troops to Iraq in a Kerry administration, Kerry said, "Well, first of all I've never said that I expect France or Germany to put troops on the ground, but there are plenty of things that they can do … it depends on the relationships. Secondly, I'd never expect them to say that now while a sitting president is there. No diplomat in no country and no government's going to do that."

Kerry denied that he was attacking Iraq's Prime Minister by saying Allawi was putting a best face on Bush's Iraq policy. "I'm not attacking him. Not attacking him at all. I – he's a strong man – I hope he's successful – I'm going to help him be successful. I'm simply … telling the truth about what is happening in Iraq, Diane."