Grim-Faced Katie Couric, Wearing Black, Downplays Success, Highlights Problems

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Katie Couric didn't disappoint. As soon as the news of Saddam's capture broke yesterday, a number of FReepers began speculating as to how Couric would react to the "bad" news this morning.

I for one hypothesized that Katie would be wearing black, and sure enough, she was!

Couric interviewed Gen. Ricardo Sanchez. His troops captured Saddam, and Sanchez spoke with him personally on two occasions.

Throughout the interview, Katie maintained that grim, lock-jawed expression reserved for bad news and unpleasant interactions. Unless I'm mistaken, she never congratulated the general.

She quickly threw in Sanchez's face the response from Saddam when asked if he had WMD: "No of course not, the US dreamed them up to have a reason to go to war with us. We didn't allow inspections only because we didn't want them to go into presidential areas and intrude on our privacy."

Next, Katie wanted to paint a gloomy picture as to how Saddam's capture wouldn't improve the situation on the ground:

"Clearly, Saddam was in no position to orchestrate anything. Militarily, how much of the enemies' capabilities have really been degraded by this capture?"

"Isn't Saddam's capture basically just symbolic?"

Sanchez said that it was more than symbolic, and that although there would still be violence, this was a major step.

Couric wouldn't give up on her notion that Saddam's capture, if anything, makes things WORSE in Iraq.

"Soem are worried that this will actually incite more violence from members of the insurgency - Al Qaida, Islamic Jihadists. Couldn't it create a climate of more violence against US troops?"

Next, Katie sought to emphasize that the US has still failed to capture a more important fugitive.

Q: "Ibrahim Al-Duri is considered the real mastermind. How critical is his capture?"

Sanchez said that they would aggressively be seeking him and other HVTs (high value targets). The general concluded by very politely thanking Katie for her support!

Matt Lauer was much more balanced. He began by congratulating Gen. Odierno. and when Gen. Odierno concluded by saying "God Bless America," Lauer smiled pleasantly and said "nice way to end the interview."

Katie then interviewed Tim Russert. Russert observed that in his comments yesterday, Pres. Bush was quite measured. He wanted to avoid a repeat of the "Mission Accomplished" triumphalism.

Asked a worried Couric, "In political terms for Pres. Bush, is this a big boost, is it long-lasting?"

Russert: in the short term it is. If the economy is strong and Iraq is secure, he coasts to victory. Otherwise it could be tight.

Katie: "Everything seems to be so unpredictable [at least she hopes it is]. But when it comes to candidates particularly Dean, how does this affect him?

Russert: "Lieberman's statement about Dean, that if Dean were president Saddam would still be in power, was very aggressive. The issue will now really be engaged. Lieberman will carry the argument."

Finally, Katie wanted to portray the US as something of an international pariah, and to echo the official Dem line that the Saddam capture creates the opportunity for more internationlization:

Couric: "I think it's fair to say that the world view of the US not particularly favorable. Will the US use the capture of Saddam as an opportunity for more internationalization of the effort in Iraq?"

Russert: "This is a rare opportunity for a new beginning. Pres. Bush needs to be magnanimous."

[PJ-Comix]

Yep. She did. I just heard it.

OMG!!! It was such an outrageous statement that I thought I heard it wrong! UNBELIEVABLE! I think that statement deserves a thread of its own for discussion.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I have my anti-acid Protonix close at hand - thanks for asking! Then again, on a day like today, even Katie's evil antics can't give me heartburn!

[PJ-Comix]

You should e-mail the links to each of these Today Show threads to several of the NBC bigwigs whenever such threads occur.

[DarthVader]

With this news maybe Katie will do us all a favor next time she is on the air and immolate herself.

[new cruelty]

Write NBC about her comment. Let them know her dam is cracking. she needs some time off.

[Maigrey]

Who will start the new thread about her statement to Weasel Clark?

[PJ-Comix]

Write NBC about her comment. Let them know her dam is cracking. she needs some time off.

See my reply #163. BTW, can anybody get the TRANSCRIPT of Katie's interview with Clark? I want to see in print that outrageous statement of hers about Saddam.

[GWB00]

Invasion of Iraq - $60 million

Cost of rebuilding Iraq - $67 Billion

Seeing Katie Couric's face after the capure of Saddam Hussein - PRICELESS.

There are some things that money can't buy....For everything else, there's our Commander and Chief GWB.

[YaYa123]

It was a wierd outfit...sorta like Katie had Santa's black belt buckle holding up her bra. Or maybe Katie really has gone over to the dark side...black leather, what's next, whips and chains?

We are not being unfair to Katie! Her ugly bias is "out there" "front and center"..and it's affecting her perk power.

[WestTexasWend]

Q: "Ibrahim Al-Duri is considered the real mastermind. How critical is his capture?"
LOL! Not 1 in 1000 people here knows who Al-Duri is but just about every schoolkid has heard of Saddam.

Did you catch this reference to Al-Duri yesterday in the MSNBC piece 'HOW WE GOT SADDAM':
"The military must still capture Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Saddam's redheaded No. 2 (he is said to resemble Krusty the Clown), who probably directs a significant portion of the Iraqi resistance."
NOTE: The parenthetical remark is THEIRS, not mine!

[Lazamataz]

Good L-rd. You guys aren't kidding! She's really wearing mourning clothes.

WTF is wrong with her???

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: 999,997 to go.............

Great!

[PJ-Comix]

Who will start the new thread about her statement to Weasel Clark?

I would if I could find an online link to Katie's statement. It is so outrageous that I need CONFIRMATION.

[Lazamataz]

Was it my imagination or did she just ask Wesley Clark, "...but wouldn't Iraq with Saddam in charge be preferable to one with him in custody?"

OMG.

It's official.

Al-Qaety Couric is a Wahabbist terrorist.

[Maigrey]

When you do, would you please check the thread I posted Outrageous statements by Hostess of Today Show and send a link for it.

[PJ-Comix]

"The military must still capture Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri, Saddam's redheaded No. 2 (he is said to resemble Krusty the Clown), who probably directs a significant portion of the Iraqi resistance."

What is Al-Duri's card ranking? Maybe there should be a special Simpson's episode where Krusty the Clown is mistakenly arrested by the Coalition Forces when he goes to Iraq to perform in a USO show.

[HIDEK6]

Actually, that's Hillary's shtick.

Yeah, I know. It was hilarious when Rush pointed it out.

[prairiebreeze]

LOL!

Prairie

[b4its2late]

Aiding the enemy is what she does best.

[PJ-Comix]

Al-Qaety Couric is a Wahabbist terrorist.

LOL! I love that name. From now on she is Al-Qaety Couric.