Posted on 11/04/2005 4:54:15 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
November 4, 2005 - 08:19.
In constructing a balanced panel to discuss a president's fortunes, one does not normally select one person who opposes him and. . . another person who opposes him and ran against him in a general election.
But that was the Today's show notion of 'fair & balanced' this morning. In to discuss W's drooping poll numbers were former Clinton spokesperson Dee Dee Myers and Patrick Buchanan. In introducing Buchanan, Couric highlighted his GOP credentials. But while mentioning he had been an aide in the Nixon, Ford and Reagan White Houses, Katie conveniently omitted mentioning that in 2000 he had, as the presidential nominee of the Reform Party, run a bitterly critical campaign against George W. Bush and has since been an incessant Bush critic, particularly on the centerpiece of Bush's foreign policy - the war in Iraq.
In opening the show, Today used a double-entendre to signal that it was planning yet another bumpy ride for the president. "Going South" was the headline, and Today made it clear that, beyond the President's trip to South America, it also had in mind what the show sees as W's sagging political fortunes, as reflected in the latest round of opinion polls.
Buchanan did predict that W could put Plame-gate behind him if he "didn't feed the scandal by firing Rove and if Rove is not indicted." But that wouldn't get the president off the hook, in Pat's mind. He predictably opined that the real problem "is this war and the constant bleeding of American soldiers."
Katie also did her best to advance the Dem theme-of-the-week - tying Plame-gate to W's credibility on the war. Noting poll results in which many apparently questioned the president's honesty, Couric offered up her theory, in the guise of a question to Myers:
"So obviously [W's poll number on integrity] is being reflected not only in the CIA leak story but in the whole building to war and the rationale for invading Iraq . . . right?"
Dee Dee was only too happy to agree.
Modest suggestion to Today: next time you're seeking to balance a Bush opponent with a supporter, try to find someone . . . who supports him!
Today Show/NewsBusters ping.
I've noticed PB is all over the place again. He's a media darling like McCain.
Exactly. We all know that the MSM's idea of a good Republican is one willing to criticize W.
Pat and Dee Dee ............ 'Punchdrunk and DoDo'
Thanks for your Today Show summaries. Don't you sometimes wonder if the MSM will ever consistently come up with balanced panels? So often they go with a Buchanan, or even a Gergen, to give balance to a total leftie. I'd love to see Ari back in the game to balance DeeDee.
The MSM had always positioned Patsy as a kook...that is, until he became a prime critic of the neo-cons and Dubya. Now he is truly within the fold.
These types of polls show why it is still true that the old media is alive and well, as long as Americans are so damn stupid and inattentive.
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The old established/liberal/socialist media is America's most ruthless, relentless, and destructive enemy.
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Mr. Eight Hair Combover Gergen is a liar for anyone who asks.
He belongs in a crypt.
I've pretty much given up any hope that the MSM will change. Until there is a true cataclysm, in which shows like Today, with obviously biased hosts and producers, go off the air, and entire networks go out of business, I can't see them changing their liberal spots.
Then again, given current trends, the notion of one or more of the liberal networks disappearing is certainly not beyond imagination.
At least with respect to Iraq, Pat comes from the isolationist school of foreign policy. He'd be a great person to put in charge of fortifying the castle walls. However, beyond "repelling boarders" his views on defense don't have much use for those who play offense, take it to the enemy and hunt them down. Thus, a defensive-only approach also returns us to the days of a "don't make 'em mad" foreign policy. Who'd a thunk Pat would sound so much like a Democrat.
LOL
I would have done it for alot less!
Hey Pat Buchanon,don't let the door hit you on the way out....you irrelevant politician you.
buchanan and gergen are beltway media whores. They know where they get their paycheck from.
Right on. Professional D.C. con men.
Much as I have made an FR career out of criticizing Couric's liberal bias, I think that her televised colonoscopy is one of the few good and admirable things she's done on the show.
As you know, her husband died young of colon cancer and she has understandably made it a personal cause. Her colonoscopy apparently encouraged many Americans to get one, surely saving lives.
I encourage people to join in the deserved criticism of Katie for her liberal bias, but to lay off the incessant colonoscopy jokes.
Is this dumb blonde type back?
"May the saints presarve us!"
My wife watches the stupid Today show after the local news goes off. Matt Liar couldn't hide his glee when he was reporting W's sagging poll numbers. If you looked carefully, he was laughing right as the shot was going Katie.
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