Stand Up Guy: In Today Show Interview, W Quick on Feet on Katrina, Less So on Miers

Today Show/Newsbusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

October 11, 2005 - 08:43.

If you invite the chubby kid from down the block to the birthday party, is it fair to criticize him for eating cake?

There was something of that lack of hospitality to the Today show's interview of President and Laura Bush this morning

For weeks now, Today has been reveling in its contribution to the Katrina relief effort, notably in its collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Two weeks ago, Today transformed Rockefeller Plaza into "Humanity Plaza," erecting Habitat homes for transport to the stricken area.

This morning, the action moved to Covington, Louisiana, where a home was being erected on site. And who was there, hammer at the ready to lend a hand, but President Bush himself, accompanied by Laura.

Yet almost no sooner had Matt Lauer begun the stand-up interview than he suggested W was engaging in a photo op. A bit ungracious, no?

In any case, there were two distinct Ws on display. In the first half, dealing with Katrina and its aftermath, W was literally nimble on his feet.

Lauer quoted "a prominent Democrat in Louisiana" who is demanding 'to see a plan on paper, your plan to rebuild this region." Asked Lauer: "do you have that kind of a plan?"

With body language that bespoke ease and confidence, W knocked the question out of the park:

"Matt, you see, I don't think Washington ought to dictate to New Orleans how to rebuild. I guess we have a different philosophy from the 'prominent Democrat' who you spoke to. My message is we will support the plan [local people] develop. The point is that it comes from the local folks. And I recognize there's an attitude in Washington that says we know better than the local people, but that's just not the attitude I have."

Bingo!

But when talk shifted to Miers, one could sense a shift in body language and mood.

Lauer cited a number of conservative critics of the nomination, then asked: "were you taken off-guard by the amount of criticism you're getting for Miers?"

In this person's opinion, W set up a straw man in defense, suggesting that the criticism was simply due to the fact that he had chosen someone from outside the "judicial monastery."

But surely W knows that the criticism goes far beyond that, to Miers' perceived lack of interest or knowledge in the constitutional issues of the day. Does the president believe for a moment that conservatives would have criticized him had he chosen a brilliant, conservative constitutional scholar who is not a lawyer, such as Prof. Jeremy Rabkin of Cornell?

The president then repeated his stock praise of Miers, which notably seemed to include an embellishment of her record. He spoke of her being consistently ranked as "one of the top 50 women lawyers in the United States." In fact, in 1998 Miers was ranked by the National Law Journal among the top 50 "most infuential" lawyers, rather different from being ranked as a "top lawyer."

W then delved into feminism, referring to Miers as having broken "the glass ceiling" and "served as a great example." The president again raised the straw man, asserting that "just because she hasn't served on the bench" doesn't mean she can't be a great Supreme Court justice.

Lauer then alluded to conservatives feeling "let down" by W, and asked whether he truly felt Miers was "the most qualified" candidate for the job.

Laura responded to the question, again sounding the feminist theme: "I know how many times she's broken the glass celing herself. She's a role model for young women."

Added Mrs. Bush: "She's very deliberate and thoughtful and will bring dignity to wherever she goes." Not negligible qualities in a judge, but one senses these are the kinds of compliments paid when one is incapable of honestly asserting that someone has a great legal mind.

Matt sought to pour gasoline on the feminist fire, suggesting there might be "sexism" in the criticism of Miers. Concurred Laura: "that's possible. I think that's possible." And yet again Laura couched her response in feminist terms, arguing that people are overlooking that Miers was the first woman head of the Texas bar and the first woman to head a large Texas law firm.

W concluded by expressing his conviction that Miers would be confirmed and, with a slight stumble for words, argued that "she won't change. The person I know is not going to change her philosophy, and her philosophy is not to legislate from the bench."

While Lauer and Today might have been ungracious in first inviting W to their Habitat set, then criticizing him for coming, all in all the tenor of Matt's questioning was not hostile, and some defensiveness over Miers aside, W handled matters nimbly. <>

Finkelstein has degrees from Cornell University and Harvard Law School.He lives in Ithaca, NY where he hosts "Right Angle," a local political talk show. Finkelstein specializes in exposing liberal bias at NBC's Today Show.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters ping.

[SerpentDove]

>>Matt sought to pour gasoline on the feminist fire, suggesting there might be "sexism" in the criticism of Miers. Concurred Laura: "that's possible. I think that's possible."<<

My respect for Laura just took a major hit.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Much as it pains me to say so, I was disappointed in Laura's performance, which drew almost exclusively on feminist themes in defending the Miers appointment.

[Russ]

If that's all it took for your respect to take a "major hit" you couldn't have had much to begin with.

[GarySpFc]

Do you know who is considered by almost all to be the greatest justice to ever serve on SCOTUS? Did you realize this person had only briefly studied law? Did you know he did not have any judicial experience when he was appointed chief justice, and yet he is considered the person who had the most influence on Constitutional Law? Have you ever heard of John Marshall? His single greatest attribute, which has been lacking in many of the recent justices to SCOTUS was character.

John Marshall-Biography

Experience: No prior judicial experience. Marshall held many political offices at the state and national levels.

John Marshall was born in a log cabin on the Virginia frontier, the first of fifteen children. He was a participant in the Revolutionary War as a member of the 3d Virginia Regiment. He studied law briefly in 1780, and was admitted to practice the same year. He quickly established a successful career defending individuals against their pre-War British creditors.

Marshall served in Virginia's House of Delegates. He also participated in the state ratifying convention and spoke forcefully on behalf of the new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Marshall contemplated several offers to serve in the Washington and Adams administrations. He declined service as attorney general for Washington; he declined positions on the Supreme Court and as secretary of war under Adams. At Washington's direction, Marshall ran successfully for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives but his tenure there was brief. Adams offered Marshall the position of secretary of state, which Marshall accepted. When Ellsworth resigned as chief justice in 1800, Adams turned to the first chief justice, John Jay, who declined. Federalists urged Adams to promote associate justice William Paterson to the spot; Adams opted for Marshall.

Marshall's impact on American constitutional law is peerless. He served for more than 34 years (a record that few others have broken), he participated in more than 1000 decisions and authored over 500 opinions. As the single most important figure on constitutional law, Marshall's imprint can still be fathomed in the great issues of contemporary America. Other justices will surpass his single accomplishments, but no one will replace him as the Babe Ruth of the Supreme Court!

http://www.oyez.org/oyez/resource/legal_entity/13/overview

[jla]

Matt sought to pour gasoline on the feminist fire, suggesting there might be "sexism" in the criticism of Miers. Concurred Laura: "that's possible. I think that's possible."

How is it "possible" if those same Conservatives opposing Miers almost simultaneously voice their approval of Janice Rogers Brown, Priscilla Owen, and other conservative female federal judges?

I support Harriet, but I can't see why the White House is sinking to these desperate levels to gain favor for their nominee.

[beyond the sea]

W then delved into feminism, referring to Miers as having broken "the glass ceiling"

Not to be contrary, but did Janet Reno break "the glass ceiling"?

***

Let's just wait for the hearings. After all Arlen Sphincter told George Stuffingenvelopes on Sunday that he's going to get to the truth of what Dobson and Rove know. ;-)

Then we'll ask dear Arlen to confirm that Jack Ruby was just trying to spare Jackie Kennedy the pain of a trial by shooting Oswald.

;-)

[PGalt]

"judicial monastery."

Hooray President Bush!

[TNCMAXQ]

Well, at least she's still better than Ter-ay-zah. :-\

Was Matt Lauer wearing men's clothes today, or was he dressed up like a teen pop idol again?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for posting the interesting information on Marshall, of which I was unaware.

However, as mentioned in the article here, the criticism from conservatives disappointed by the Miers nomination has nothing to do with her lack of judicial experience. It goes to the absence of anything in her record suggesting she is well-informed or concerned about the major constitutional issues of the day, whereas W had a deep bench of brilliant conservative scholars and jurists that he chose to overlook.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Matt & W were similarly, and I'd say appropriately, dressed for the circumstances, in Dockers type pants, with Matt sporting a blue business shirt without a tie and the President in a blue polo shirt.

[L98Fiero]

"My respect for Laura just took a major hit."

So you are saying that none of the criticizm directed at Miers could possibly be sexist in nature? It's not even possible?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"judicial monastery."

Hooray President Bush!

I must respectfully disagree. The thrust of conservative criticism of Miers is directed not to her lack of judicial experience but to her lack of a record of knowledge or concern regarding the great constitutional issues of the day.

[GarySpFc]

The article has everything to do with Miers experience. The single most important quality missing in most of the recent justices to SCOTUS is character based on a strong morality, WHICH MIERS POSSESS.

[tinytutu]

well, J. Reno certainly broke the "mirrorred ceiling".

[YaYa123]

MSNBC has already started the replay of Matt's interview with the President, which will continue all day, for certain.

This report is accurate with: , "Lauer cited a number of conservative critics of the nomination, then asked: "were you taken off-guard by the amount of criticism you're getting for Miers?""

But in the MSNBC replay, it's isn't Lauer who asked the question, "were you taken off-guard". It's a White House reporter back on the White House lawn who unequivacably (sp) told viewers, "the president was taken off guard". But what's a little misinformation on MSNBC?

[kittymyrib]

In other words, if Miers were not a woman and not a friend of the Bushes, she would not have been nominated. What a thing to admit on national TV!

[soloNYer]

I cringed when I heard Laura acknowledge sexism as a possible reason for conservatives to question the Miers pick. I was hoping Bush would step in to downplay that statement, but he didn't. This should not even be a question of sexism. Isn't it obvious that conservatives would have jumped at he chance to have a Janice Rogers Brown on the court? However, the sexism charge is a way for the media to gloss over the real reasons behind the consternation by many on the right...shifting focus from the interpretation of the Constitution...and it was disheartening to see Laura buy into that reasoning.

I did enjoy Bush saying "You're quoting a lot of Democrats today, aren't you Matt?"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

That is very interesting. Thanks for alerting us to the discrepancy between the actual interview by Matt and the way MSNBC spun it.

Although W never specifically responded to Matt's question as to whether he was caught off guard, the thrust of his answer [that the criticism came because he chose someone without judicial experience] was to the effect he was NOT surprised.