Posted on 12/15/2003 4:42:43 AM PST by 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."
here's couric in her black suit this morning for those who missed it.
that is great!!!
You should email that comment to the "powers that be at NBC"....even Russert set her straight, and the only time you could see she had a glimmer of hope was when he talked about how the president might have trouble in reelection if the ecomony when bad and Iraq was a mess - she actually smiled at this, the b*tch!
Aww, I'm sorry I missed this. When I saw the Iraqis reporters' outburst of cheers (reminded me of the troops erupting in cheers on Thanksgiving when the President walked out), I just about cried.
In the presser, the President just answered the reporter's question about what he would say to Saddam, given that he tried to kill his father. He called him a coward, said good riddance, and of course that he couldn't be trusted.
My thought? "My name in Indigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
And So Damn Insane's introduction after he was caught? "My name is Saddam Hussein, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht."
He is so screwed.
al-Qaetie Couric, does not even MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO CAMOFLAGE IT.
I don't usually wish adversity on people, but ONCE, just ONCE, I wish she would do a field report for NBC News in Iraq, get captured for a few days by some Ba'ath Feddayin, not roughed up too bad (but scared s-less nevertheless) and then, rescued on the quick by an elite US special ops force in a dashing raid. Oh how I'd love to hear reports, afterward, of her quivering voice having offering "I...I am an...American, too!", to her liberators in the dark terror of the night in Tikrit. (I can dream, can't I?)
Maybe THAT would straighten out her smug, privileged, New York City, Disdain-for-flyover-America, snotty little attitude she has, for a few months or years at least.
Someone reported Bremer had no intention of saying "We got him!", until he saw the excited Iraqi journalists, and felt the emotion in the room. The same report said President Bush was thrilled as he watched the Iraqi journalists explode with joy over Saddam's capture.
Made me cry too. And it made me remember the sanctimonious, holier than thou excuses from Dan Rather and other mainstream media monkies who didn't wear flag pins, and attacked FOXNews for being too patriotic.
I've tied Katie to terrorism directly by calling her Al-Qaetie Couric. This will be her new name, since she clearly sides with terrorists.
Anyone with eyes to see and half an ounce of brains to think will know that nothing except the defeat of Bush in '04 will satisfy these Rats. They could capture Bin Laden tomorrow and whores like Couric and Lauer and Jennings will say, no big deal, others are still out there. The stock market could go to 20,000 and they'll be wringing their hands about how Bush cut taxes for "the rich", and that's what's fueling the rally. There's no sense pandering to the media, they'll never tell it straight if it has the hint of benefiting Bush and/or the conservative side.
The unrestrained power of the mass media, and the recklessness with which it is wielded, are this era's counterpart to such historical follies as witch-hunting, human sacrifice, and the divine right of kings.
In 100 years, people will look back at the power of the Hollywood/Madison Avenue Cultural Axis and ask how anyone could have been so stupid.
Well those people can also look at Free Republic and say at least some people weren't so stupid.
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