Posted on 07/06/2007 5:35:04 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
As noted here, MSNBC's John Ridley went off on Al Gore this morning, suggesting he should hug his kid rather than the planet, save his son, not ice caps. But over at NBC's "Today", it was a more predictable MSM response, as the show sought to downplay the Gore incident by pointing to Republican politicians whose kids have caused trouble, while praising Chelsea Clinton as unusually mature.
Introducing the segment, Meredith Vieira shifted the spotlight from Gore's situation to the broader issues.
'TODAY' CO-HOST MEREDITH VIEIRA: And now to politicians and their children. It's tough being a parent, and as former Vice-Pesident Al Gore learned this week, it's even tougher when you're in the public eye and your child makes a big mistake.Aww.
YANG: The arrest of his son and namesake on drug charges is giving former Vice-President Al Gore a lesson that millions of parents have learned before.Cut to a clip of presidential historian Allan Lichtman,happy to let Al off the hook: "There are things you can control, and things you can't control in your own children's conduct." Roll footage of the Bush daughters, including the shot shown here of Jenna.
YANG: The saga of Al Gore III is just the latest example of politicians being embarrassed by their children, something that seems to be part of the political landscape. President Bush's twin daughters gained notoriety with citations for underage drinking.But there was a bright spot in Yang's tour of enfants terribles.
YANG: Some seem to behave better than their parents. Chelsea Clinton seemed to literally hold her parents together at the height of her father's Monica Lewinsky scandal. For the most part, voters don't seem to hold politicians responsible for the sins of their children. Ronald Reagan's popularity didn't suffer when his daughter Patti Davis publicly denounced her parents as dysfunctional.Cut to another Lichtman clip: "We should judge politicans according to how well they serve the public interest, not necessarily how well they order and manage their own families.
YANG: A thought that should come to some politicians as a great relief.Let's review. Al Gore III was arrested for speeding 100 MPH with pot and a variety of other drugs in his car. Yang equates that with the Bush girls drinking -- but not driving -- while underage, with Patti Davis making a statement about her parents, and with the harmless antics of a young boy. But it's all good in service of diluting Al's embarrassment in a sea of moral equivalence.
“Today” show helping hand for Al ping to Today show list.
Did anyone in the media suggest that this incident should disqualify Al Gore III from ever running for public office?
Seems to me that in 2000, they thought an alleged DUI was worthy of keeping Bush out of office.
I’ve decided to come to Al “three-sticks” defense....If Al Gore Jr was my papa..I’d be dysfunctional also...
Hey algore, how bout saving your kid?? Oh yeah, doesn’t pay as well.
Pray for W and Our Troops
What I’d like to know is how Gore managed to hit 100 mph in a Prius.
He’s not a ‘kid’, 24 ‘used’ to be an adult...
His kid is 24. When I was 24 I was an adult and not my father's responsibility?
I’m with you.
Being forced to listen to that pompous twit nearly every day for 24 years would drive anyone to booze, drugs, etc.
Ha ha ha, and Paul Begala is a political philosopher.
Well, gee, NBC. I thought childrens’ behavior was supposed to be a ‘private family matter.’ So why keep bringing them up?
Remember the pictures of an intoxicated Chelsea being hoisted in a car, her thunder thighs being the focal point? Why didn’t Mark use that pix in his article?
Speaking as Mark, I frankly had forgotten that incident, and in any case was using a screencap from the Today show story. But you make an excellent point: Chelsea’s had her own run-ins, which Today overlooked.
Politicians, whether Democrat or Republican, have no right to complain when incidents like this make the media if they highlight their family while campaigning for office. The doors they open for political gain are revolving and cannot slammed shut to suit their political expediences.
“What I’d like to know is how Gore managed to hit 100 mph in a Prius.”
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LOL According to one of our local conservative radio guys, some police officer or spokesman said that Gore was going “slightly downhill” at the time. *Snicker*
As I was writing you were posting.....OMG, it was her gut and not her thighs!!!!LOL
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