Lauer Swings and Misses at Hughes With Rumsfeld Grading

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

June 9, 2006

I'm on a quick strike down to NYC today to attend a talk radio convention.

And speaking of quick strikes, Matt Lauer launched one at Karen Hughes on this morning's 'Today.' Hughes, who serves as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, was on to discuss US relations in the Arab world in the, ahem, wake of the killing of Zarqawi.

At the end of the interview, Lauer hit Hughes with this 21/2-month old quote from Donald Rumsfeld:

"If I were grading, I would say we probably deserve a D or a D-plus as a country as to how well we’re doing in the battle of ideas that’s taking place in the world today. And I’m not going to suggest that it’s easy, but we have not found the formula as a country."

Lauer played it as a Rumsfeld attack on Hughes 'operation.' Hughes undefensively responded that it was precisely because we need to improve our global outreach that Pres. Bush had appointed her to her position, and the Rumsfeld had been welcomed it.

Swing and a miss for Matt.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters ping.

[johnny7]

You have to forgive Lauer and the other MSM chimps when they're completely off-target. All of their time is spent boning-up on the DNC talking points of an issue or Republican actiivity... to actually research the topic and seem somewhat coherent is simply asking too much.

[kjo]

Yeah, the MSM is sickening. It's the Vietnam and Watergate playbook all over again.

Actually, the MSM is sometimes quite funny in their transparent attempts to attack the Administration. Ever watch these talk show folks "interview" a Democrat on the War? The difference in softball questions is actually laughable.

[xp38]

What has been your assessment of Today in the post Katie era so far? Worse, about the same or better? Will you be covering Katie when she debuts on CBS for old times sake?

[johnny7]

Ever watch these talk show folks "interview" a Democrat on the War?

They only do... if the Democrat voted for military action in Iraq. The other seditious, cut-and-run twits are treated as if their's is the just cause... the candle in the dark. They are not expected to know the particulars... their emotion is pure and without prejudice.

[SailormanCGA72]

Matt Lauer trying to match wits with Karen Hughes is the classic "bringing a knife to a gunfight" analogy. Except in his case it's a rusty pen knife.

[DCPatriot]

Lauer the schmuck....

[ClaireSolt]

Ironically, he could buy and sell her ten times. Media salaries are obscene.

[DustyMoment]

The difference in softball questions is actually laughable.

It isn't even softballs anymore - they're using nerf balls on the leftists.
But don't worry, either way they still call it "hard-hitting journalism"!! LOL!!!

[sgtbono2002]

When Mat tries to engage in a battle of wits , he always comes out on the losing end. His IQ is much like his hair style. Mostly missing.

[JohnLongIsland]

to think that perky katie was the brains of the duo all these years.

[ClancyJ]

The media/journalists/newscasters are merely like ants - they scurry around and around and around.

They have destroyed the reputation of newsreporters and today, they are about as respected as lawyers are.

Don't expect any in the media to do anything other than tout the propaganda of the owners. They feel they are far more powerful dishing up propaganda than they are dishing up the true news.

So - they have taken the path to their own destruction and disrespect. Nobody believes anything they report any more - we immediately look at them through the colored glasses of their owners.

What does that tell you about the intelligence of the Washington elite? Pure stupidity, and an inability to display any patriotism, love of country or original thinking. They are mere pawns of the socialistic left that seeks to make them little minions under their superior direction.

Again, utter stupidity. Leave it to middle America to keep this country going and to run the country.

The easterners never pioneered the more western states, the easterners stayed in their little nests. The pioneers were the developers of America and in doing that, they became the real power of America. All the while the easterners became more pampered and sheltered from America. While the pioneers were forging through uncharted lands, fighting Indians, settling, building, creating governments - the easterners were attending little social gatherings patting each other on the back as to their own superiority over the undeveloped America.

They became soft, enamored of their own society and handed down - not initiative, courage, bravery, an ability to think outside the boundaries, but elitism, pompousness, social standing, and weakness. They delved into power-grabbing, pandering, social status - not defending, building, creating governments. Which could explain why they could never be trusted to defend this country - they are too soft.

I much prefer the grounded, gentle wisdom of the salt-of-the-earth middle Americans to the pompous, elitist, society grubbing, petty-minded, weak-kneed easterners.

It is laughable that they think they are superior in intelligence since they have none of the pioneer blood in them.

[AmericaUnite]

Is anybody watching the ridiculous questions the MSM is asking this morning of our military spokesman, Caldwell (I'm sorry I forgot his rank).

They want to know if there was a bullet in him? Did he get any medical aid? How many minutes before the US troops got there? How could he have survived so intact?

[SoFloFreeper]

I bet these prima donnas don't even think or research anything that much. Their lackeys probably supply them with these kind of dirty pool quotes.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Hi xp. I'll reserve judgement for the time being. Generally I'd say it's about the same. I do plan to continue to monitor it, particularly in light of indications that Vieira is every bit the liberal Katie was!

[StarFan]

Is anybody watching the ridiculous questions the MSM is asking this morning of our military spokesman, Caldwell (I'm sorry I forgot his rank).

I couldn't believe my ears. Wish I taped the remarks from someone on foxnews later in the day who was outraged that anyone cared how long and by what method it took him to die. Said anyone who would have administered aid to this scum should be court marshaled.