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."

[Area51]

Yesterday, Dan Blather looked like he was about to burst into tears at any moment.

40 posted on 12/15/2003 5:04:31 AM PST by Ed_in_NJ
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I noticed that too. What kept popping in my mind is, I bet he wished Castro was there in the studio to give him a big hug!

[PJ-Comix]

"Why does Katie pick today of all days to wear mourning black?

Because Katie wants to break in her mourning cloth for when she has to talk about the re-election landslide of George W. Bush on the "mourning" after Election Day 2004.

[mhking]

What's with Katie's leather straps on her black outfit? Is she auditioning for the new role of "Anchor-Dominatrix?"

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[truthkeeper]

Well-written, thorough report. Thanks for sparing us. (Although I haven't watched her for years...don't have the stomach for it.) BTTT

[Carolina]

Is she auditioning for the new role of "Anchor-Dominatrix?"

Her version of a straitjacket, perhaps?

[MEG33]

I mostly missed it because it was on an hour early here.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Katie

My TV set is seldom on,
The place called NBC.
I seldom stop to listen to,
The lies they fling at me.
But every now and sometimes then,
I have to cruise on by.
To watch the little evil snit,
And laugh right in her eye.
She wrinkles up her face so tight,
It looks just like a fist.
If something good she must report,
You'll see that she is pissed.
She hates Bush and Arnold too,
America she loathes.
If I was network president,
She couldn’t buy her clothes.
So this I say for all to hear,
I think that she's a slob.
Ms Couric’s insignificant,
I’d love to take her job.

Conspiracy Guy 10/8/3

[McGruff]

Weasley Clark wasn't very upbeat about today's news either.

[macrahanish #1]

The military should be doing intensive questioning of
the Iraqi populace. Now that Saddam has been captured,
the fear of retribution will be greatly diminished.

[Conspiracy Guy]

I stole this somewhere>

[Alissa]

I think Katie may be superceding Dan Rather for the most bias "news" reporter.

[Wondervixen]

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?"

[ChadGore]

This was, in every sence, the perfect weekend in Iraq for Bush.

1) The 4th ID delivered a HVT into custody.
2) The world press is now write the epitath of saddams reign of terror.
3) The car bombs killed all Iraqis because they now have over 150,000 IP on the streets.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

CCCCouric

Excellent Soviet Union reference!

[Maria S]

Katie Couric is one of those souls who CANNOT hide her feelings! She 'wears her heart on her sleeve' as my mama used to say. When she's interviewing someone she likes, she smiles with more teeth showing than Julia and Farrah together! When she's having a morning like this one, the teeth stay hidden behind clinched lips!

[sauropod]

Sorry i missed this one.

[sonofatpatcher2]

Does this mean we are down to 999,998 e-mails?

[truthkeeper]

Most excellent!

[reagan_fanatic]

Menopause is a real bitch, isn't it, Katie?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

That is so true. Don't look for Katie any time soon on The World Series of Poker. She'd be turning cheerleader cartwheels with a good hand, or crying into her chips over a busted flush!