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."
ROFLMPO!!!!!!!!!
But it's no different than her normal demeanor, is it now????
Rush Limbaugh said precisely that on his show yesterday.
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.
Excellent analysis.
The American people have spoken loud and clear -- gay marriage was defeated in 11 states, polls show the populace does not support abortion-on-demand, and yet -- the Dems will not/cannot admit the truth. Instead, they seek "the right words" or the "the right candidate" to promote the same agenda that caused their defeat.
As long as arrogance and contempt for religious beliefs and family values continue to guide the Democratic party, they will fail.
You are exactly right. Most Christians who care about this country know that we are on the wrong track morally. The Democrats view faith as something you fake to get the unsophisticated to vote for you, as Bill Clinton did carrying that big black Bible out of church and then going to diddle Monica. They can't understand actually LIVING the faith. Real Christians know "by their fruits you will know them"...bad news for Democrats.
The brilliant James Taranto, editor of the Wall Stree Journal's 'Best of the Web' site, refers to this as "the Roe effect."
New tagline!!
I know TKH was an issue for the Dems but to play the blame game with her as the lead character is unfair. Let's put John boy under the microscope with his anti-American stance and his no-Senate record. The billionaire who wants to represent the little guy. And so on. Let's not let this Terrybash take the spotlight away from the real failure--Kerry.
If not for Iraq and 9-11 we would have come out of the recession much faster and stronger and Bush would have really killed Kerry.
Mr. Russet, don't you understand that the people of faith see through your lies and agendas no matter what "language" you put them in? You can talk the talk but we see that you don't walk the walk.
"We're the party of the future. They're the party of 100 year old white guys and guys who want to turn all 16 year olds into drunks!
"We won the 18-25 year old vote. Republicans won seniors. Those seniors will all die by 2008, especially with another Bush term when he will take away their health care and their social security. Hey, all voters over 25 will be dead in 3 years with George Bush's policies, and so Democrats are in a good place to win every election from now on. And I mean from Dogcatcher, to Sheriff, to President!"
Now, was that a good McAuliffe prediction, OR WHAT????
I don't...It just confirms what I thought about Teresa as a possible first lady.
Nah, the MSM believes that it was a throw-away line for the rubes.
Agreed. We need to continue our fight against the MSM. 9.11 and the internet have changed everything. Liberals will diminish in numbers.
Perfect! I think you have it knocked!
And thanks for the heads-up - I'll tune in or tape.
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bommer/Live%20What%20I%20Believe.html
This helped me keep positive ..and have faith.
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/bommer/Live%20What%20I%20Believe.html
This helped me keep positive ..and have faith.
I heard Fox and Friends reading part of the Newsweek article and it reports Kerry saying during the campaign "I can't believe I'm losing to this idiot".
Kerry really is just as nasty as we all perceived; it was not us being "mean" to think and say so.
As to the dems and their moral values business, I heard Al Sharpton on Hardball last night say, as the panel discussed "what went wrong", that the dems had failed to redefine "moral values". My thought was he was so wrong. Most Americans could see the attempt to redefine (acceptance of gay marriage or else you're a hateful bigot) moral values and it was rejected.
Worth repeating Zell Miller's comments here: Liberals can hum the tune but they can't sing the song. Never forget.
These Marxists have a terminal disease. They seek advice from other infected Marxists!!!
Keep on interviewing, Katie! Haaaaaaaaaaa!
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