Lauer: Bush Admin Takes 'Very Harsh Tone' With Russia, Putin Pokes at Cheney Potshot

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

July 12, 2006 - 08:03

Even the translator sounded like a tough guy.

To say that Russian President Vladimir Putin was gruff in his interview with Matt Lauer would be an understatement. While Lauer asked some probing questions, he also offered up an unsolicited critique of Bush administration's rhetoric toward Russia, calling it 'very harsh.' And when Putin responded with some very harsh rhetoric of his own, Matt didn't blink, continuing instead to focus on the tough talk of the Bush White House.

Lauer was in St. Petersburg for the g-8 summit Russia is hosting, and scored an exclusive sit-down with Putin. In the set-up piece, Andrea Mitchell rolled the tape of VP Cheney saying of Russia's energy manipulations: "no legitimate interest is served when oil and gas become tools of intimidation or blackmail."

Lauer followed up with Putin, mentioning: "our Vice-President Dick Cheney said recently 'the [Russian] government has unfairly and improperly restricted the rights of the people. Other actions by the Russian government have been counter-productive and could begin to affect relations with other countries.'"

That's when Putin took his nasty shot at the Veep's hunting mishap:

"I think your vice-president's expression there is like his bad shot on his hunting trip."

A breathtakingly undiplomatic thing for Putin to have said. But rather than call Vlad on it, Lauer seemed to sympathize with the treatment the former KGB agent has received at the hands of the Bush White House: "It's a very harsh tone coming from our administration."

So copacetically set up, Putin was only too happy to agree: "I believe that the concerns do not look sincere. And therefore they are not convincing."

Even then, Matt wouldn't let it go. Apparently perplexed by US policy, Lauer asked "Why does he [Cheney] make statements like this?"

Putin: "What are the motives behind this talk? I think those are political motives. When our partners always thought about the need to constrain Russia and this is the leftover of the cold war."

Putin probably couldn't believe his good luck, getting softballs like this from an American. Then again, the Russian is probably knowledgeable enough about the US media to know what to expect from a leading MSM light.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters ping.

[Puppage]

"I think your vice-president's expression there is like his bad shot on his hunting trip."

Settle down there, Pootie Poot.

[beyond the sea]

Putie says "he trusts no one". I don't trust his scrawny *ss at all.

[johnny7]

Lauer asked "Why does he [Cheney] make statements like this?"

What a patriot. Why didn't he give Putin oral while holding a small American flag and just be done with it?

[saganite]

the Russian is probably knowledgeable enough about the US media to know what to expect from a leading MSM light(weight).

There, that's better.

[R.W.Ratikal]

That great geopolitical strategist Lauer has, along with the left, been wrong about Russia ever since the Russian revolution when Lenin took over.

It's important to listen to the left so that we know to do just the opposite.

[martin_fierro]

"I think your vice-president's expression there is like his bad shot on his hunting trip."

Aw, go kiss a boy.

[sgtbono2002]

That came later when the camera's were off.

[COBOL2Java]

Next up, Lauer interviews Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and will ask him the probing question: "Why are the Israelis so mean to you?"

[The G Man]

Maybe Lauer let him kiss his tummy?

[Dionysius]

"I think your vice-president's expression there is like his bad shot on his hunting trip."

Wow! A KGB goon and a comedian, too.

[MEG33]

Got any nexium to spare?.. I need one after that!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Out of Nexium, but I could lend you one Prilosec today for two next Tuesday ;-)

[MEG33]

Thanks..I found my Pepcid Complete to help ease the pain..

[demkicker]

The Today Show could avoid being a laughing stock if they only let Lauer out of the country for his "Where In The World Is Matt Lauer" fluff segments.

A serious, unbiased journalist, he ain't.

[Ouderkirk]

Putin probably couldn't believe his good luck, getting softballs like this from an American. Then again, the Russian is probably knowledgeable enough about the US media to know what to expect from a leading MSM light dim bulb. There, fixed it.

[subterfuge]

Putin probably couldn't believe his good luck, getting softballs like this from an American.

Pootin knew exactly the type of questions he would be getting from comrade Lauer, who, in my estimation, is only American by birth.

[Txsleuth]

Probably the only two that would throw easier questions...and more insults at the US, would be Russert or Matthews...

[AmericanInTokyo]

Matt's US passport, issued by the Bush Administration State Department, should be pulled.