On-Air Spat between FNC's Page Hopkins and Dean Campaign Manager Joe Trippi

Fox News

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The lovely and talented Page Hopkins of Fox News Channel just completed an interview with representatives of the Gephardt, Kerry and Dean campaigns in Iowa.

She asked Dean's campaign manager, Joe Trippi, whether it wasn't hurting Dean for his wife, Judith Steinberg Dean, not to be campaigning for him.

Answered Trippi: "She has a very important job as a doctor, and we wouldn't take her away from that."

Responded Hopkins, in a spontaneous way, "come on! If my husband ran for president, I'd be out of FNC so fast and out there campaigning for him!"

To which an angry Trippi replied: "Nice editorializing. That's why we love Fox News so much."

At the end of the interview, Hopkins came back to it: "sorry, but if my husband were running, I'd be out there with him, no matter what party he was in." Again Trippi snarled his reply: "just keep up the editorializing."

By the way, Page Hopkins can spend time "on the hustings" with me any time!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Only knock on Page: she's apparently an alum of Hillary's alma mater, Wellesley.

[Miss Marple]

I saw this as well. Trippi could have made a comment like "Dr. Dean values his wife's commitment to her profession and won't ask her to give that up."

Instead, Trippi went on the attack immediately.

This indicates to me that Dr. Steinberg is wanted on the campaign trail but refuses to comply.

Very interesting exchange, I think.

[Dilbert56]

I can't imagine why people think Howard Dean is angry and mean. This guy was so thin-skinned you could probably see his blood vessels.

[sinkspur]

I saw that. Trippi needs to wear a tie; he's got the ugliest neck for a man I've ever seen. It's just a big old glob of flesh under his adam's apple.

He snarls just like his boss; obviously, Dean's entire campaign staff must be on edge.

[Focault's Pendulum]

She used to be on NJ Cablevision's Channel 12 News. They do her makeup much better at Fox.

Love the freckles, Page

[McGruff]

Katie is not going to be happy to hear you are cheating on her on the weekends.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I was also shocked by Trippi's totally over-the-top response. It seemed clear that Hopkins wasn't trying to score partisan political points but was simply reacting spontaneously as a woman and a wife.

The Dean campaign is obviously feeling the heat and are stressed out and defensive about Steinberg's absence from the campaign.

[_Jim]

Answered Trippi: "She has a very important job as a doctor, and we wouldn't take her away from that."

... using this same logic, SHOULDN'T Dean be back 'doctoring' somewhere too?

I mean , did Dean become incompetent (or something) while doctoring that now disqualifies him?

[BillyBonebrake]

Yesterday Trippi was unshaved. He looked like a slob. Pretty soon he'll be an unemployed slob.

[anniegetyourgun]

She should have responded: "Nice spinning. That's why we love covering the Dean campaign, Joe."

[expatpat]

The young supporters like that unshaven rebel look, I guess.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

LOL. Believe me, I'd never be caught on the hustings or anywhere else with Katie. By the way, you should have seen the profile of Page in her blouse that FNC aired during the last half-hour. Definitely a boost for the . . . ratings.

[clintonh8r]

I saw Trippi and his counterparts spinning away. Nobody answers questions any more. If I were an interviewer I'd just say, "If you're non-responsive we'll just cut your audio."

BTW, FNC's Chyron operator must be a quota hire. The super on the Kerry rally read whos' instead of whose.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Speaking of fashion and hygiene, the Gephardt campaign manager (I think his name was Murphy) had a definite metrosexual thing going on. Definitely a clash with the rough/tough union guy in a windbreaker image that the Gephardt campaign is trying to project in Iowa!

[clintonh8r]

Yeah, I caught that profile shot and my interest spiked immediately.

[anniegetyourgun]

Though I rarely watch it, CNN's operator is even worse. Must be that "living wage" they are paying over there.

[BOBTHENAILER]

"Nice spinning. That's why we love covering the Dean campaign, Joe."

Perfect comeback.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I should have mentioned that in response to Trippi's statement about Steinberg's important job, Page first said "come on! Being President is the most important job in the land!"

[babygene]

"SHOULDN'T Dean be back 'doctoring' somewhere too?"

Don't send him back to aborting babies...

[governsleastgovernsbest]

FNC really knows how to lift those flagging ratings!