Posted on 11/04/2004 4:47:09 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
If there's one place where Democrats know they'll receive a warm reception, it's The Today Show. So take it as a sign of the depths of Dem depression that Katie Couric had to admit this morning that "with Dems licking their wounds" it was difficult for the show to find a Dem willing to come on!
You'd think that it would have been a cinch to find a leading Republican insider to talk about W's plans for the second term. So who did Today choose? Gillepsie, Frist, Hastert, maybe even Cheney? Nope, they went to a guy firmly on the outside, Today's favorite Republican, John McCain.
Three highlights from McCain's appearance:
1. In one of the most unvarnished bits of liberal editorializing I've ever witnessed at Today, Matt Lauer expressed skepticism about W's ability to bring people together in his second term. Said Lauer: "He actually divided the country by governing from 'the far right.' Why should people trust him this time?"
2. McCain took a huge swipe at Kerry's notoriouly lackluster record as a Senator. "Speaking personally, If you work at it you can really enhance your effectiveness in the Senate," advised McCain!
3. McCain denied a Newsweek report that Kerry offered him, in return for accepting the VP nomination, control over the DOD and a say on all foreign policy
Then it was on to Katie's interview of PA Gov. Ed Rendell, who was still looking depressed. It was then that Katie mentioned Today's difficulty in booking a Dem this morning - a nice little insult to Rendell, letting everyone know he was far from the first choice!
A clearly unhappy Katie, still dressed in black, asked "the Dem Party was organized, the base energized, and W had low approval ratings. Why couldn't this be translated into victory? There must have been some problems in strategy."
Rendell cited the failure to respond quickly to the Swift Boat Vets, contrasting this with Bill Clinton's rapid response approach.
Katie: "Did Dems fail to appreciate the importance of moral issues to voters?"
Rendell's response showed that the Dems still don't get it. He tried to define family values in terms of government programs. For him, it's all about "valuing families," meaning more government child care, health care, etc.
He added it was hard to make the case with terrorism and Iraq in the background.
With rising frustration in her voice, Katie said Dems are known for getting out the vote, and asked why young people didn't show up at the polls. Rendell claimed they did, but that overall turnout was up so the effect of young people was diminished. He bragged about Kerry's win in PA.
Katie: "It was a big loss to have Daschle lose. How will the Dem party retool and go forward?"
Rendell cited 1964 and LBJ's huge victory, whereas by 1968 the Republicans had won back the WH. Rendell: "This is not a time for hand wringing and soul searching. If not for 9/11 and Iraq we'd be talking about Pres. Kerry."
Then it was on to an interview with Tim Russert.
Russert: "The party has to come to grips with itself. There is a disconnect in large parts of the country with the Dem party. Dems have to find words, language to speak to people of faith."
Note that once again, the Dems are addressing the issue in superficial terms. They discuss the need to find ways to "speak" about values, about the need to find "the right language," rather than looking into their souls and realizing that their values are simply out of synch with those of most Americans.
Russert gave his list of people he expected to leave the administration. Some were predictable: Powell, Rumsfeld and Ashcroft. But I was surprised when he also mentioned Condi Rice, saying "she has to figure out what she wants to do with her career."
At the beginning of the second half-hour, Evan Thomas of Newsweek appeared to tout a special Newsweek edition telling the inside story from the campaign. By far the most interesting comments were his absolute massacring of Teresa Heinz Kerry. I couldn't type fast enough to keep up, but among his blasts at her:
"A negative for the campaign, a bad campaigner, all about her, very demanding, a drag on her husband."
Today Show Katie-still-in-black ping.
No doubt about it, Terrayzah was our best ally in this campaign.
Yeesh - is she still wearing that thing? I hope she at least changed her skivvies.
If you don't believe it, you can't speak it, or, as Zell Miller says, they can hum the tune, but can't sing the song.
From what I could tell, it was a different outfit. With all the Dem defeats in recent years, Katie has apparently acquired an extensive black wardrobe.
"Plus: all the press guys on the campaign bus say her mouth always tastes like gin-soaked raisins. And Elizabeth Edwards." :)
LOL. Thanks for the report, governsleastgovernsbest.
Exactly. On another thread I posted yesterday, I mentioned that a local Dem I debated on a radio show said the Dems need to find a better way to deal with "the morals thing," which says all we need to know about how Dems view moral issues.
thank you for months of going to the belly of the beast, doing an update and sharing it. you have saved me from an ulcer. Thanks again your work is appreciated.
My pleasure as always, Syriacus.
"Rendell cited 1964 and LBJ's huge victory, whereas by 1968 the Republicans had won back the WH. Rendell: "This is not a time for hand wringing and soul searching. If not for 9/11 and Iraq we'd be talking about Pres. Kerry."
I had to read this 2-3 times before I believed he said this.
Get a grip, man.
All she needs is one of those round conical straw hats, and she's ready for the next Kerry rally.
The topic is what the Democrats did wrong, NOT what the Republicans did right!!!
Thanks, q-an-a. Kind comments like yours really kept me motivated.
If anyone would like to be added to my ping list for reports on liberal bias at The Today Show and occasionally at other media, please let me know by post or private message.
In 2000 Bush won by about 500 votes. In 2004 Bush won by 4 million +. Looks like Bush already brought 4 million people closer together.
As slick willie so WRONGLY declared following the 2002 elections. They didn't get their message out.
The DID get their message out, we rejected it!
Heard that slick willie issued a statement yesterday. Mentioned only in passing and go NO publicity at all as far as I can tell.
Thanks for the rundown on katie, matt, and the odious russert.
Gosh--they could have called littletommydaschle. I might have tuned in for that and I haven't watched the Today show in more than 10 years.
I hope fellow PA voters will join me to show Rendell the door next gov. election.
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