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."
Yes--you are correct--she indeed DID have an environmental reason to be depressed, i.e., the death of Sen Heinz (R-PA). I would guess, though, that her "issues" started before that.
Just to check the wardrobe, I clicked on the muted NBC and noticed that even Katie's KNEES were covered in black nylons.....hahaha. *still dancing the victory dance*
Laura Ingraham said she was invited to appear on Today today and kept asking the caller "Are you sure?" because Katie definitely does not want Laura there. Oh yes Oh yes.....then an early call this morning said the invitation was cancelled. LOL!
Sigh. It's hard to live with those on "transmit only". Could we send them a few receivers? ;)
That's the rumor about her at the concession speech anyway.
Ding, ding, ding!
It took 184 posts, but someone finally got there. Your new Proctor Silex traveling iron is in the mail!
I am shocked to learn the media
(at least Newsweak's) were not
delighted with Mrs. Heinz-Kerry.
Maybe their dislike for her, accounts
for so many of the "lovely" photos we've
all enjoyed so much?
In response to the outpouring of interest in these Today Show threads, particularly over the last few weeks, I've just created a blog entitled, naturally enough, CouricWatch:
http://couricwatch.blogspot.com/
The goal is to reach out to folks beyond our sphere at FR who might be interested in learning and commenting on the liberal doings at The Today Show.
I'll be posting over there my FR posts, and possibly be including some original material.
Please have a look, and if you'd like, pass it along to friends and family.
Thanks and Regards,
Governs
PS: I'm a total blogging newbie, so if experienced bloggers out there have suggestions or comments, I'd be grateful to receive them.
I don't know enough to offer any advice, but it looks good!
Pesky details.
LOL!
Thanks, maryz. I was amazed to learn how simple it was to set up a blog, and what's more that, through the auspices of Google, it's free!
Nice job! The page looks great...
Hey, good job and a lot of work.
This is how we defeat Old Media and you are more than doing your part. Kudos.
Many thanks for your good wishes.
As mentioned in response to congrats received from another fellow FReeper, I had no idea what was involved in starting a blog. I just Googled 'how to start a blog' and found a link to a great site, part of Google, that guides you through set-up process. It was amazingly easy. I went for a 'minimal' style, and must say am very pleased with the look.
Looks good. Have fun with it!
Can't thank you enough for these daily reports. I'm on the road to work by or before this dog and pony show comes on and look forward to the day's recap after supper. You've been hitting long balls all season - keep it up!
Greatly appreciated - thanks SK.
I wasn't born in texas, but got here as fast as I could. don't tell my Mom she thinks I play piano in a ___ house in New Orleans.
check this out!!!
http://www.georgewbushstore.com/
Nope I don't lurk at all. They sound like tinfoil wackos.
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