Couric on Better Behavior in Interview with Dep. Sec. State Armitage (Impact of FR Outcry?)

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

In a just-completed interview with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, the Katie Couric on display was a far cry from the bitter, clenched-jawed woman of yesterday.

Couric's interview of Gen. Ricardo Sanchez yesterday was a festival of attempts to downplay the significance of Saddam's capture and to highlight perceived shortcomings in US policy and accomplishments.

No one would confuse the Couric of today with a cheerleader for US policy. But while she turned no handstands on behalf of Pres. Bush, neither did she second-guess or undermine in the same way she attempted yesterday.

It could be that Katie was reacting to the tone and the physical presence of the guest himself. The shaved, bullet-headed Armitage is an imposing figure.

And from the beginning of the interview, he set a very brisk, no-nonsense tone with Katie, pointedly addressing her as "Miss Couric."

She was most solicitous in inquiring after the health of Sec. of State Colin Powell, following his surgery yesterday for prostate cancer. That would be expected since the moderate Powell has always been on the liberals' "good" list.

But in her questions on other issues, from the information gleaned in interrogations of Saddam, the possible capture of Ibrahim Al-Duri, James Baker's diplomatic mission with the French and others, the carping and second-guessing was largely gone, and the questions were essentially straightforward.

Even on the most controversial issue, a leaked memo by Dep. Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz in which he set forth in stark terms opposition to the awarding of rebuilding contracts to countries who hadn't helped us in Iraq, Couric kept her venom in check.

As is well known, there is a rift between the warm and fuzzy types at State and the harder-liners at Defense. To Armitage's credit, he defended Wolfowitz strongly and expressed support for the views expressed in the memo.

So striking was the change in Couric's demeanor, that I could only conclude that the outpouring of criticism in the wake of her contemptible performance of yesterday had an impact. Neither she nor her NBC bosses could have ignored the avalanche of messages from FReepers and no doubt many others across the country condemning Couric's negative, carping interview of Gen. Sanchez.

It was a chastened Katie Couric on display today. To my fellow FReepers, I say "bravo." I sincerely feel you have made a difference.

[Lazamataz]

Of course not! Why would an internet nobody like me interfere with anyone's right to fantasize...about anything.

Well, then. We can happily toil in our fantasy, and you need not tell us it doesn't matter. :o)

[J. L. Chamberlain]

Done.

J

[Lazamataz]

I notice they haven't mentioned ANYTHING about Al-Duri being captured yet on the Today Show. I guess they figured that Al-Qaetie Couric couldn't handle the "bad news" after she claimed he was the real mastermind in Iraq yesterday.

The whole darned Iraqi house of cards is collapsing.

This rocks.

[mtbopfuyn]

A life long Democrat brought up NBC the other day and was so disgusted with all the negativity they spew that she's never voting Dimwit again. Thanks, Katie!

[cajungirl]

Post #87,,PJ, you are killing me here. I keep laughing and my cat, whom I now call Al-Cati, is glaring at me.

[PJ-Comix]

Where is this being reported? Don't see it on FNC.

Another poster said he/she did see it reported there. Top of the hour coming up so check it then when they do the headlines.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, I'll be on the lookout.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Cajungirl wins today's prize for the tersest, most enigmatic tag line.

[Wait4Truth]

I guess we'll never really find out why she changed her tone. Maybe she didn't like the fact that Diane Sawyer got the Bush Christmas interview..who knows? I doubt that President Bush would ever allow himself to be interviewed by Couric but I bet he would knock her into next week if he did. Have a great day and thanks for subjecting yourself to the Today Show for all of the rest of us.

[larryjohnson]

Thanks I never watch Today but will catch west coast feed in a few min

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Please let us have your reaction to the interview. It really did seem that Armitage's curt use "Miss Couric" in addressing Katie set the early tone.

[cajungirl]

I must decline the award. I was typing one day and that appeared. I am mystified as to how it got there but I ended up liking it so kept it. Sort of a little meek quiet "no". But how I got it is still a mystery to me.

[cmak9]

Katie Couric; what a waste of a good colon.

[cyncooper]

Ah, baloney. A few dozen moaning and groaning letters do nothing. And Uncle Fester Armitage is a loon anyway.

Ah, memories...

Of Peter Arnett and his propaganda in Iraq and MSNBC saying they'd keep him. Then some of us were so outraged we wrote and said we'd NEVER turn them on again unless he was fired immediately.

By nightfall he was gone.

[cajungirl]

I have a theory that Katie was hot for Armitage,,I think she likes that kind of man!1 And the use of her surname, Miss couric, tells her that he has boundaries and will not be seduced by her saccharine perkiness. She wants him, bad. I have a theory that libs like Katie are really craving real men.

[July 4th]

Great poem! (I wonder if she's seen it).

[Conspiracy Guy]

I'd love to get it to her. If you can send it.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Oops, I forgot to update the name. Conspiracy Guy is the freeper formerly known as Flurry.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Like this fresh one I wrote?

Howie

Your comments really crack me up,
I’d have to say you’re funny.
As funny as a hemorrhoid,
Or as a nose that’s runny.
Saddam’s capture no big deal,
Your stance is still the same.
You’re really sucking big on this,
I’d say your brain is lame.
But tell me Howie I must know,
These speeches just who writes them?
Katie Couric comes to mind,
Or Michael Moore, is it him?
Well Doctor Dean you make me sick,
For malpractice, I will sue you.
Please get a clue, I’ll sell you one,
John Kerry needs a few too.

Conspiracy Guy 12/16/03

[arasina]

Does anyone really expect the TRUTH from more than 35 years of tyranny by the television broadcast networks?