Posted on 10/21/2004 4:48:54 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
If it were a boxing match, they would have thrown in the towel. If it were a Little League game, they would have invoked the mercy rule. Unfortunately for hapless Kerry spokesman Mike McCurry, no such refuge was available, and he had to suffer a relentless, devastating, take-no-prisoners, never-back-down pounding at the hands of Liz Cheney, daughter of the Vice President. Wow! What a star was just [at least for this viewer] born. Where has she been?
Sometimes shows like Today concoct a theme for an interview and try to force their square guests into the round hole they have conceived. The topic today was the notion that both campaigns were exploiting the politics of fear.
But Liz would have none of it. "This isn't about trying to scare people. We are truly at war. This is about who has the strong leadership to win that war. Of course Kerry is forced to make tough statements now, but his words are contradicted by his record."
She continued: "Kerry has been on the wrong side of every major national policy issue over the last 20 years, from cutting $7 billion in intelligence after the WTC was bombed for the first time, to voting against the 1991 Gulf War, to opposing most of the weapons systems used to fight the war on terror."
Before describing McCurry's remarks, a few words about his looks. I don't know if he might be a baseball fan who stayed up to watch the game, or whether he was up all night putting out the fires from Teresa's "my experience is bigger than hers" gaffe, or whether it is simply the wear and tear of a long campaign, but I have never, NEVER, seen a political aide look this palpably tired on national TV.
Not only was his face haggard, but his eyes were so red-rimmed that one had to wonder if he had been on a crying jag. One thing is clear: being inside the Kerry campaign nowadays ain't a bowl of cherries.
In any case, McC claimed that "we took our eyes off the terrorists to divert to go to war in Iraq that is now causing so much pain. We can't go on with more of the same and need to change directions."
But soon it was back to Liz on the attack: "The 9/11 Commission found we're not safe, but we're safer than we were before 9/11. But with his talk of global tests and describing terrorism as a nuisance, one has to question whether Kerry really understands nature of challenge we face."
Katie tried to put Liz on the spot, quoting her father to the effect that the country could be more vulnerable to attack if Kerry were elected. If Couric thought that would put Liz on the defensive, she was badly mistaken. Liz didn't back down for a second: "Weakness invites attack. The policies Kerry/Edwards propose would take us back to 90s when we treated terrorism as a law enforcement and intellignece matter. They have sent signals of wavering."
When McCurry tried some wan retort, Liz cut him off at the knees: "The record doesn't match the rhetoric, Mike, the record doesn't match rhetoric."
Even when a defeated McCurry, on his knees, begging for mercy, tried to AGREE with Liz, she would give no quarter. By the end, McCurry was pitiably saying that when it comes to the need to pay attention to terror threats, "we agree about that."
"No, we disagree," retorted Liz!
This was the most lopsided, devastating rhetorical victory I have ever seen on Today. It made last night's sad [for this Yankees fan] shellacking look like a nail-biting cliffhanger.
Bravo, Liz, you are my new hero! Let's see more of her along the trail!
Is it better than the Zell Miller speech at the RNC 2004?
For once, I wish I'd seen the Today show! I caught Liz Cheney on O'Reilly last night, and she was great, but the audience she'll reach on Today needs her more!
You, by the way, are a hero for being able to put up with and watch these shows and pass along your assessments. (I thought I was on your ping list for this show)
;-)
ie Run away
Different format of course, with Liz having two opponents - Katie and Mike - in the ring. To continue with the boxing theme, I'd put it this way: she's the country's best political fighter pound-for-pound.
Sorry, I make my posts from two different computers and sometimes don't have up to date ping lists on both. You're back!
If anyone would like to be added to my ping list for reports on liberal bias at The Today Show and occasionally on other shows, please let me know by post or private message.
For those of us whom have never seen her. The today show only allows those to speak who they believe will be lightweights (Jonh McCain, ect.). This is great! I bet they had no idea what was in store for them, and she used their commie show to beat McCurry into submission.
Fascinating report. What a contrast with that child of a great parent, Ron Reagan. Thanks for the post!
Liz Cheney
"One thing is clear: being inside the Kerry campaign nowadays ain't a bowl of cherries."
I would have to say instead of a bowl of cherries, it's a trash can full of pits!!
W stands for WOMEN!!! Strong Republican women! Yeah!
Thanks for the heads up. Central time zone here...i'll be watching for Liz.
Not surprising at all. Dick Cheney is a very smart man, high IQ type. Much smarter than his opponents. The acorns don't fall far from the tree.
I saw the Coulter interview, and IMHO Liz Cheney was much better.
The Coulter thing was more of a catfight. This was a determined, relentless, substantive rhetorical beating that left a battered McCurry, on his knees, the blood streaming down his face from cuts over both eyes, whimpering to his corner for cover.
What part of the first hour was she on? I have the Atlanta stations feed on my satellite so I can catch the delayed broadcast but don't want to watch any more of the show than I have to ;)
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