John McCain became hostile with the N.Y. Times' Elisabeth Bumiller on the campaign's plane today, after the reporter questioned him about a 2004 meeting with John F. Kerry, in which the Massachusetts senator suggested a VP slot. (Click here for audio clip, courtesy of Breitbart.tv)

Bumiller, who took over the McCain beat from Marc Santora in January, quoted a 2004 story in which McCain said the Kerry meeting never happened, according to ABC News. McCain, whose temper does flare up at times, told Bumiller that everyone already knows this story, despite her persistent questioning.

UPDATE: Readers have fairly noted McCain's reaction isn't exactly "hostile," which I wrote before audio and video were available. It would be more accurate to say he became irritated or annoyed, perhaps.

Transcript after the jump.



Elisabeth Bumiller: Senator can I ask you about Senator Kerry. I just went back and looked at our story, the Times story, and you told Sheryl Stolberg that you had never had a conversation with Kerry about being, about Vice President –



John McCain: Everybody knows that I had a private conversation. Everybody knows that. That I had a conversation. There’s no living American in Washington -



EB: Okay.



McCain: - that knows that, there’s no one.



EB: Okay



McCain: And you know it too. You know it. You know it. So I don’t even know why you ask.



EB: Well I ask because I just read –-



McCain: You do know it. You do know it.



EB: Because I just read in the Times in May of ’04 you said.



McCain: I don’t know what you may have read or heard of, I don’t know the circumstances. Maybe in May of 04 I hadn’t had the conversation --



EB: But do you recall the conversation?



McCain: I don’t know, but it’s well known that I had the conversation. It is absolutely well known by everyone. So do you have a question on another issue?



EB: Well can I ask you when the conversation was?



McCain: No. Nope, because the issue is closed as far as I’m concerned. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows it in America.



EB: Can you describe the conversation?



McCain: Pardon me.



EB: Can you describe the conversation?



McCain: No, of course not. I don’t describe private conversations.



EB: Okay. Can I ask you –



McCain: Why should I? Then there’s no such thing as a private conversation. Is there (inaudible) if you have a private conversation with someone, and then they come and tell you. I don’t know that that’s a private conversation. I think that’s a public conversation.



EB. Okay. Can I ask you about your (pause) Why you’re so angry?



McCain: Pardon me?



EB: Nevermind, nevermind.



McCain: I mean it’s well known. Everybody knows. It’s been well chronicled a thousand times. John Kerry asked if I would consider being his running mate.



EB: Right.



McCain: And I said categorically no, under no circumstances. That’s all very well known.



EB: Okay, let me ask you… (moves on to another question.)

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