Weekend Show *Preview* for 8/12 - 8/13/06 (not the live thread)

Network and Cable News Networks | 8/11/06 | Network and Cable News

[Phsstpok]

Weekend Talk Show Preview - Analysis for August 12^th and 13^th, 2006

On the shows this weekend I'm most interested by Vali Nasr, on CNN, and Ken Mehlman, on Meet The Press.  I think we'll learn more about the events in the Middle East from Nasr and more about the coming campaign from Mehlman than all of the other guests, combined. 

Nasr is an expert, from Iran, on the issues of conflict between Sunni and Shiite Muslims.  I actually view this as our best hope of winning the coming world war.  Just as Communists and Nazis joined forces to start World War 2 in Europe then fell out and, fighting each other more than us, helped end it, we can hope that the mutual Sunni / Shiite hatred will be their undoing.  We'd best not count on only that, however!

Mehlman appears to be doing an excellent job of laying out the "it's us or the moonbats" strategy for this falls elections.  This is starting to give me more confidence in my own prediction that Republicans will pick up seats in both the House and Senate this fall.  I started predicting that just in reaction to the smug "it's a sure thing" predictions of doom for the Republicans.  I'm now beginning to see the shape of a truly historic defeat for the Democratic left.  The more Joe Liebermans' loss pushes the rest of the Democrats left the more likely it is that Republicans will win big.  I do, however, predict that Joe Lieberman will win and will caucus with the Democrats.  However, I also predict that a big loss for the dims this fall will end in a break up of the Democrat party as we know it now.  Joe will stay with the DLC.  Where the DNC goes is anybodies guess.

I don't think this has happened before, at least not since I've been doing the preview, but one person, in this case Michael Chertoff, is on all of the Sunday shows this week.  I hope he's got his game face on.  Either that or he's being put out there to "sink or swim" on this one.  He didn't come off well after Katrina and is a political liability in the eyes of many.  This is a chance to shine and gain back credibility, but if he fails in some way I think he's history.

ABC This Week has Chertoff, probably with lots of nasty rhetorical questions lined up, followed by the Hardy Boys duo of McCain and Feingold.  This time they supposedly are "facing off" over the war on terror and the impact of Joe Lieberman's loss.  How much do you want to bet that they end up agreeing more than they disagree?  Is this the under card for the Newt/Biden traveling road show, or vice versa?  The Roundtable is an obscene collection of BDS (Bush Derangement Syndrome) and should truly be amusing/nauseating/infuriating.  Pay special attention to the link to the article Reich urges citizens to effect change for some truly amazing lefty lunacy and tunnel vision.

Meet The Press also starts with Chertoff, also probably with lots of nasty rhetorical questions, coupled with lots of lil Timmah hunching up on the table as he confronts the evil Bushie minion.  that gets followed with a different Hardy Boys duo of Tom Kean and Lee Hamilton.  These two "giants" from the 9/11 commission have a new book which blames the Bush administration and claims, without evidence, that Rumsfeld's Pentagon wasn't telling the truth during the commission hearings.  I guarantee you that they won't be asked about Jamie Gorelick's Wall or the Clinton's turning down Osama's head on a platter.  I also guarantee you that these two media sell outs put "extra crispy" Bush bashing text in their book in order to sell it for big bucks.  This obscene performance will be followed by Ken Mehlman and his "evil twin" Howard (the scream) Dean.  Probably the better analogy than twins is matter and antimatter.  Watch for lots of hostile "quotes" to be thrown at Mehlman by lil Timmah, with no chance for him to respond, followed by long, free form opportunities for Dean to expound on anything he wishes, sans challenge.

Fox News Sunday continues the Chertoff-go-round, with probably the least hostile hostile interview (though Wallace will probably be continuing his attempt to prove that he's "independent").  It looks like Pete Hoekstra is on to "humanize" the new TSA restrictions, warning us against the potential evils of... hair care products!!!!  Might he be being set up for future ridicule?  Nah, never happen.  Hoekstra is followed by Ned Lamont making the rounds of the "real" media to prove that he's a "real" candidate.  This is dangerous territory for him.  The fact that he's appearing on Fox is bad enough, but his accepting the invite probably means he's going to try to push back to "the center."  He is endangering his base, which is all that he's got going for him.  We may be witnessing the beginning of one of the nastiest meltdowns in political history if that happens.  How does third place sound?

CBS Face the Nation is likely back to (very) hostile territory for Secretary Chertoff.  Why do I suspect some Katrina questions will get thrown his way on this show?  Though Harman has been getting lots of face time (mostly to protect her from the MoveOn types in her primary) Roberts hasn't.  Perhaps a whiff of anti-Bush and anti-Iraq war rhetoric is what he needed to get an invite.  Dare I suggest that this was made plain to him and that he responded for his own crass benefit?  Nah, a politician would never sell out like that to the old media!  Ned Lamont makes his second Sunday appearance in a likely much friendly venue.  Watch for the outlines of a hagiography to come.

CNN Late Edition completes the full rounds for Michael Chertoff.  I expect a "less hostile" encounter here, but instead look for a dismissive one.  Wolfie is on to "real issues" and not the "manufactured ones" that the Bush administration keeps trying to "foist on a credulous public."  I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see the first serious ridicule of the DHS color coded alert system, coupled with questions as to whether or not the UK "explosive liquids bomb" terrorist threat was real or simply imagined.  Watch for ridicule, not challenge, in this interview.  Hagel and Reed will make an effective BDS tag team, alternately challenging Bush's moral position, intelligence and simple right to live.  At the margins this twofer could raise the question of whether Barbara Bush should have aborted her idiot child and spared us all of this trouble.  Ehud Barak has a lot of splainin' to do over his decision to pull out of Lebanon in 2000 and give Hezbollah the ability to develop a killing field for Israelis.  He'll probably be offered an opportunity to blame Bush for not providing the needed support for the UN to effectively control southern Lebanon.  It's even possible, in the back of his mind, that he thinks an effective performance on this show could bring him back the PM job.  Dream on, Ehud!  It's looking more and more like it's Bibi's turn (again).  The Lebanese "special envoy" is increasingly drifting off into Baghdad Bob territory, which is a real risk for Wolfie.  Expect a short segment with very simple (and prepared) questions.  General George Joulwan is yet another Clinton era general being trotted out to say how perfect things were in that benighted administration.  Expect no questions of merit and lots of opportunities to vent against Bush and company.  Vali Nasr is, on the other hand, a very interesting newbie to these shows.  From what I have read he may bring some real (and sobering) insights to the "end game" of what's going on now.  We may see CNN trying to set up the "who lost the Middle East" blame game at this stage.  Bush shouldn't do anything, anything he does is wrong and, if the Israelis suffer a set back it must be Bush's fault (whether he did something or not).

The Saturday pre-show line up is fairly typical, with Mort and Fred trying to claim credit for pointing out the obvious to us, yet again, Fox News Watch drinking the drive by media kool-aid, as always and the Journal Editorial Report providing interesting and insightful analysis by adults, at hours that no normal person is watching.  Lil Timmah's book fair is pushing the paperback release of David McCullough's 1776.  I can only assume that he intends unfavorable comparisons between the President George of that era and the President George of ours.  Without that it's strictly crass lucre.  He wouldn't think of invoking the theme identified on the Technometria blog review of this book, “don’t give up.”  Never happen.

So, to summarize my take on this weeks shows

• The DBM wants us to know that Israel is losing to Hezbollah in Lebanon and it's all Bush's fault™
• The Chertoff "grand rounds" will probably not save him from the wrath of the DBM, success in the WOT notwithstanding
• ABCTW wants to promote their own slate for '08, having already decided that the '06 elections are over in favor of MoveOn.org the Democrats
• MTP wants us to believe that Jihadi terrorism started on January 21^st, 2001 - we must pay no attention to the years between 1992 and 2000 - nothing happened there, move along...
• FNS is still mostly interested in gaining "credibility" among their peers and is continuing their abandonment of "fair and balanced" in favor of "enlightened and progressive"
• FTN is most comfortable reverting to type and will continue to tow the party line, regardless of the facts - their motto is Semper Proditio
• CNN's concern is credibility within the anti-American audience out there, screw the US (though regular CNN is better than CNN International - by design) therefore the mantras of Zionists = Nazis, Americans = Nazi/occupiers/crusaders and Jiahdis = "freedom fighters" are all dogma, articles of faith, in their world view.  Jim Jones would have understood them perfectly.
• Saturdays minor leagues give us Fred and Mort explaining the obvious to the unenlightened fly over crowd, from both the left and the right, yet again, Lil Timmah hawking yet another book (probably trying to mine it for anti-Bush nuggets), FNW "critiquing" the media by defending everything they say and do against the unenlightened morons in the audience and the Journal Editorial Report continuing it's lonely vigil of reasoned and reasonable discussions, agree or disagree, at hours that no one is watching.

All of the above is simply my humble opinion, so have at it.

The individual shows are posted below, with the Saturday shows first, then individual posts on each of the Sunday shows.

In order to satisfy a suggestion from Alas Babylon!, I have reversed my previous practice and put this on TownHall.COM first, before posting the thread here on FR.  This was done in order to allow me to have the link for the following statement.

This is cross posted at my blog on Townhall.com (analysis post only at http://wizards.townhall.com/g/df14d2da-5371-4faa-ba85-387831d9d65d).  This post exists primarily as a heads up for who is on the weekend talks shows, what they've been invited on to push (based on their recent pronouncements) and the spin (meme) the DBM is likely trying to push based on that information.  All of this is prep work for the weekly Sunday Morning Talk Show thread posted by Alas Babylon!.  That thread provides a live commentary and analysis of the Sunday talking head shows, with rare insight and exceptional fact checking.  we are the Jedi Council of FreeRepublic, at least in regards to these DBM gabfests.  You wanna know what was said and what it meant, as well as where they messed up?  Read that thread!

 

[Phsstpok]

Saturday Shows 8/12/06

Below are the topics and guests announced for these programs, along with my take on the "memes" that the shows are trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

The Beltway Boys (Mort Kondrake, Fred Barnes)

• Meme:
  • Based on the topics this is set to be a "well, duh" show this week (as if it isn't always)
• Topics:
  • Is the anti-war left inching closer to a takeover of the Democratic Party?
  • Hillary Clinton adjusts her message
  • Cynthia McKinney's election night meltdown
• Beltway Boys contact information beltway@foxnews.com
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6 and 11:30 p.m. ET

CNBC's Tim Russert Show (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • Lil Timmah: "Why is George Bush so unlike George Washington?"
• Topics:
  • Pulitzer Prize Winning author & historian David McCullough on his book, “1776”.
• Guests
  • David McCullough
    • Author “1776”
    • Are popular histories vapid? By David Greenberg (Slate.COM - May 17, 2005)
• CNBC's Tim Russert Show airs Saturday at 7pm, 10pm & 1am ET

Fox News Watch (Eric Burns)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... is it because of Iraq?
  • So one little doctored fauxto by some obscure never published photographer who really didn't work for the DBM, but was a "freelancer" - you can't prove anything, all of his fauxtos are gone - nothing to see here anymore, move along
  • The real story in Lieberman and McKinney losing is that the Media is still all powerful!  Bow down before us slimy politicians!
• Topics:
  • Foiled terror plot: terror is back in the news
  • Reuters admits Beirut photo was doctored (notice, singular "photo")
  • Media's role in Sen. Lieberman, Rep. McKinney defeats
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. ET and Sundays at 2:30 a.m. ET
• Fox News Watch contact information Newswatch@foxnews.com

Journal Editorial Report (Paul Gigot) - FNC show page

• Meme:
  • Our last, best, chance to solve the problems in the world today, short of a World War, may be slipping away (my comment: thanks to MoveOn.ORG and George Soros!)
  • The current conflict in the Middle East is the end of George H. W. Bush's "new world order"
• Topics:
  • Opinion Journal web site: Ned and the Plot
    • What do Ned Lamont's victory and the foiled airline bombing plot mean for U.S. security policy and the fall elections?
    • An interview from Israel with Middle Eastern scholar Martin Kramer on what Hezbollah and Iran want to achieve in Lebanon.
  • Fox web site
    • How does Joe Lieberman's loss frame the midterm debate?
    • An in-depth look Iran's role in Mideast conflict
    • The latest on thwarted U.K. terror plot
• Guests
  • Martin Kramer
    • Martin Kramer: Hezbollah’s hubris, Israel’s opportunity (Local Liberty Blog, CA - Jul 25, 2006)
    • Hezbollah: Invincible? (FrontPage magazine.com, CA - Aug 10, 2006)
    • Fear Of Getting Stuck — Again (The Jewish Week,  USA - Aug 9, 2006)
• Journal Editorial Report (at Fox News) contact information - jer@foxnews.com
• The program is from The Wall Street Journal and airs on FNC Saturday at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and again Sunday at 6 a.m. ET

[Phsstpok]

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

CBS Face The Nation (Bob Schieffer)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... is it because of Iraq?
  • Those nasty evil unconstitutional Bush Nazi tactics exposed by the NY Times had nothing to do with catching these guys
  • The Stalinist wing of the Democrats beat out lefty Joe in a lefty state - must mean trouble for Republicans in red states
• Topics:
  • War on Terror
  • Politics
• Guests
  • Secretary Michael Chertoff
    • Secretary of Homeland Security | Bio
    • Also appearing on
      • NBC Meet the Press
      • Fox News Sunday
      • CBS Face the Nation
      • CNN Late Edition
    • Homeland Security Sec'y Michael Chertoff on Foiled Terror Plot (Fox News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff says plot looks like al-Qaida operation (MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2006)
    • US Security Tightened in Wake of UK Exposure of Terror Plot (TREND Information - Aug 11, 2006)
    • CHERTOFF: NOT CERTAIN ALL PLOTTERS FOUND (Free Market News Network, FL - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff: Airline Travel Is Safe, ButÂ… (CNSNews.com, VA - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Sen. Pat Roberts (Republican - Kansas)
    • Intelligence Committee Chairman
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Roberts reacts to terror plot (Lawrence Journal World, KS - Aug 10, 2006)
    • Roberts decries Bush Administration secrecy, sounds doubts about Iraq war (Lawrence Journal World, KS - Aug 4, 2006)
    • Politically, a chance to score points (Boston Globe, United States - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Roberts briefed earlier this week on efforts to thwart attack (Kansas.com, KS - Aug 10, 2006)
  • Rep. Jane Harman (Democrat - California)
    • Intelligence Committee ranking minority member
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Chris Matthews Covers Dem. Jane Harman's Rear End on Iraq (New York Observer, NY - Jul 11, 2006)
    • THE BUZZ: Bad controls (halfway down column) (Kansas City Star, MO - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Senate breaks logjam on maritime security (United Press International - Aug 9, 2006)
    • Withdrawal Wins New Political Support (Foreign Policy In Focus - Aug 9, 2006)
    • A better way forward on security? (TPMCafe, NY - Jul 13, 2006)
  • Ned Lamont
    • Democratic Senate Nominee, Connecticut
    • Campaign web site | blog | Bio
    • Ned Lamont to Apologize to Waterbury Mayor for Slimy Slight (FOX News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lamont Daughter's Vote Disqualified (Washington Post, United States - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lieberman says Lamont doesn't understand terrorist danger (Boston Globe - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lamont Savors Win as Lieberman Concedes for Now (Greenwich Citizen - Aug 11, 2006)
• Face The Nation contact information - ftn@cbsnews.com

[Phsstpok]

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... is it because of Iraq?
  • Those nasty evil unconstitutional Bush Nazi tactics exposed by the NY Times had nothing to do with catching these guys
  • Bush is stupid, mean, nasty, stupid, rotten, horrible, stupid and is the source of all evil in the world... according to Chuck Hagel - Reed will be tougher on him
  • Bush and his Israeli lackeys have been forced to eat crow... all hail Jihad!
  • The current conflict in the Middle East is the end of George H. W. Bush's "new world order"
• Topics:
  • Is the United States prepared for new terror threats at home and abroad?
  • The latest on the crisis in the Middle East.
• Guests
  • Michael Chertoff
    • Secretary of Homeland Security | Bio
    • Also appearing on
      • NBC Meet the Press
      • Fox News Sunday
      • CBS Face the Nation
      • CNN Late Edition
    • Homeland Security Sec'y Michael Chertoff on Foiled Terror Plot (Fox News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff says plot looks like al-Qaida operation (MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2006)
    • US Security Tightened in Wake of UK Exposure of Terror Plot (TREND Information - Aug 11, 2006)
    • CHERTOFF: NOT CERTAIN ALL PLOTTERS FOUND (Free Market News Network, FL - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff: Airline Travel Is Safe, ButÂ… (CNSNews.com, VA - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Senator Chuck Hagel (Republican - Nebraska)
    • Foreign Relations Committee and Select Intelligence Committee member
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Chuck Hagel: Opposition Senator (Yahoo! News - Aug 2, 2006)
    • Key Republican Senator Chuck Hagel Criticizes US Policy on Middle East (Payvand, Iran - Aug 1, 2006)
    • Why Doesn't Fox Call Chuck Hagel a "Cut & Runner"? (News Hounds, CA - Aug 1, 2006)
    • Cut And Run GOP Senator - Chuck Hagel - Commended By Saudi Front Group CAIR (PipeLineNews.org, CA - Aug 1, 2006)
    • Nebraska Senator wants US troops out of Iraq within 6 months (News Net Nebraska, Nebraska - Aug 4, 2006)
    • Hagel Floor Statement on the Current Situation in the Middle East (Hagel Senate web site - Jul, 2006)
  • Senator Jack Reed (Democrat - Rhode Island)
    • Armed Services Committee member
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • A higher minimum wage - a good idea? (Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Bob Kerr: A cruel cut for those who face reality (Providence Journal, RI - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Reed: Iraq is headed toward 'existential crisis' (WLNE-TV (ABC6), RI - Aug 1, 2006)
    • After monthly jobs report comes spin (Chicago Tribune, United States - Aug 4, 2006)
  • Ehud Barak
    • Former Israeli Prime Minister
    • Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak on Mideast Crisis (FOX News - Jul 21, 2006)
    • Ehud Barak defends pullout from Lebanon (Jerusalem Post, Israel - Jul 13, 2006)
    • ANALYSIS: The war Hezbollah couldn't lose - and might (Ha'aretz, Israel - Aug 11, 2006)
    • War With Iran Â’Inevitable,Â’ Former Israeli Defense Chief Says (Collective Bellaciao, France - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Ambassador Nouhad Mahmoud
    • Lebanese Foreign Ministry Representative to the United Nations
    • US, France Split Over Mideast Resolution (ABC News - Aug 10, 2006)
    • Lebanon Objects to US-French Draft (Islam Online, Qatar - Aug 6, 2006)
    • Lebanon demands Israeli withdrawal (Daily Telegraph, Australia - Aug 6, 2006)
    • Diplomacy under duress (Al-Ahram Weekly, Egypt - Aug 10, 2006)
  • Vali Nasr
    • author, "The Shiite Revival"
    • expert for Council on Foreign Relations
    • Review: The Shia Revival (International Herald Tribune, France - Aug 11, 2006)
    • UN diplomats close in on cease-fire resolution (San Jose Mercury News,  USA - Aug 11, 2006)
    • The growing Shia threat (Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN - Aug 11, 2006)
    • After Lebanon, there's Iran (Christian Science Monitor, MA - Aug 8, 2006)
    • The great divide: An Iranian-born professor explores the history and power struggle between Shia and Sunni Muslims (Miami Herald, FL - Aug 6, 2006)
    • IranÂ’s President Ahmadinejad, one year later (Manila Times, Philippines - Aug 10, 2006)
  • General George Joulwan
    • Retired U.S. Army; former NATO Supreme Allied Commander
    • Southcom general tapped for European Command post, NATO chief (Miami Herald, FL - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Online NewsHour: General Joulwan (Online NewsHour  - May 12, 1997)
    • RESUME OF SERVICE CAREER of GEORGE ALFRED JOULWAN, General (Defense Technical Information Center - Jul 13, 1995)
• CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

ABC This Week (George Stephanopoulos)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... is it because of Iraq?
  • Those nasty evil unconstitutional Bush Nazi tactics exposed by the NY Times had nothing to do with catching these guys
  • The Stalinist wing of the Democrats beat out lefty Joe in a lefty state - must mean trouble for Republicans in red states
  • John McCain (he's baaaaack!) is running for president
  • Russ Feingold is running for president
  • Robert Reich is formulating a Five Year Plan for whatever extreme Stalinist assumes power when the Republicans are all shot
• Topics:
  • Terror Plot:
    • British authorities thwart a massive terror conspiracy designed to blow up American-bound jetliners that would have killed thousands. With some suspects still at large, what does this mean for U.S. national security? We'll ask our headliner, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff.
  • Sens. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., and John McCain, R-Ariz., will discuss ... the would-be terror attacks and the Bush administration's terrorism policy. They will also weigh in on the political earthquake that shook the Democratic Party this week — Joe Lieberman's primary loss to Ned Lamont in Connecticut. How will it impact both Democratic and Republican election strategies in 2006 and 2008?
  • VOICES: on the day of Fidel Castro's 80th birthday, Grammy winner and Latin music sensation Jon Secada talks about the complex relationship between Cuban-Americans and their homeland, and his hopes for a post-Castro era.
• Guests
  • Secretary Michael Chertoff
    • Secretary of Homeland Security | Bio
    • Also appearing on
      • NBC Meet the Press
      • Fox News Sunday
      • CBS Face the Nation
      • CNN Late Edition
    • Homeland Security Sec'y Michael Chertoff on Foiled Terror Plot (Fox News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff says plot looks like al-Qaida operation (MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2006)
    • US Security Tightened in Wake of UK Exposure of Terror Plot (TREND Information - Aug 11, 2006)
    • CHERTOFF: NOT CERTAIN ALL PLOTTERS FOUND (Free Market News Network, FL - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff: Airline Travel Is Safe, ButÂ… (CNSNews.com, VA - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Senator John McCain (Republican - Arizona)
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • McCain backs Rich Tarrant (Rutland Herald, VT - Aug 11, 2006)
    • A Closer Look at Americans' Views of John McCain (Gallup Poll News, DC - Aug 10, 2006)
    • I like John McCain, anway (The State, SC - Aug 9, 2006)
    • McCain courts House Republicans for Â’08 race (The Hill - Aug 9, 2006)
    • Was John McCain the real winner last night? (Power Line, MN - Aug 9, 2006)
  • Senator Russ Feingold (Democrat - Wisconsin)
    • Senate web site | Bio (from campaign web site)
    • Russ Feingold on Israel situation (TPMCafe, NY - Jul 21, 2006)
    • HRC Gala Features Sen. Russ Feingold And Phil Angelides (San Francisco Bay Times, CA - Aug 4, 2006)
    • Sen. Russ Feingold: Our Duty to the People of the Gulf Coast (Yahoo! News - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Sen. Russ Feingold to Give $5,000 to Ned Lamont (NewsMax.com - Aug 9, 2006)
    • Key Democrats unite for troop pullout (Jackson News-Tribune, WY - Aug 11, 2006)
  •  ROUNDTABLE:
    • Robert Reich
      • former Secretary of Labor in the Clinton Administration
      • Web site | blog | Bio
      • Reich urges citizens to effect change (Cape Codder, MA - Aug 11, 2006)
      • Goodbye pensions (Marketplace, CA - Aug 9, 2006)
      • Every day should be a tax holiday (Marketplace, CA - Aug 2, 2006)
    • Martha Raddatz
      • ABC News Chief White House Correspondent
      • Bio (at ABC News web site)
      • Gen. Casey: Iraq Civil War 'Possible,' Troop Reductions Less Likely (ABC News - Aug 7, 2006)
      • Bagdad: 'Defining Battle' in Iraq (ABC News - Aug 8, 2006)
      • Iraq: propaganda and the "civil war" question (World War 4 Report, NY - Aug 7, 2006)
      • Nets Stress How Bush Rejected NAACP Invitations, But Skip Group's Vicious Attacks (NewsBusters - Jul 20, 2006)
      • ABC Trumpets HRC's Call for Rumsfeld to Quit as 'Dramatic Sign' of Falling War Backing (NewsBusters - Aug 3, 2006)
    • George Will
      • George Will Excoriates Bill Kristol & Weekly Standard (TPMCafe, NY - Jul 17, 2006)
      • Transformation's Toll (Washington Post - Jul 18, 2006)
      • George Will's delusion (Power Line, MN - Jul 18, 2006)
  • Voices segment: Cuban born Grammy winner Jon Secada
• ABC This Week comment web page

[Phsstpok]

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

NBC Meet The Press (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... is it because of Iraq?  No, it's because Bush didn't listen to the 9/11 Commission!
  • Those nasty evil unconstitutional Bush Nazi tactics exposed by the NY Times had nothing to do with catching these guys
  • The Stalinist wing of the Democrats beat out lefty Joe in a lefty state - must mean trouble for Republicans in red states
• Topics:
  • Nearly five years after the 9/11 attacks, a terrorist plot to detonate explosives on U.K. flights coming into the United States is foiled. One British official stated plainly that "this was intended to be mass murder on an unimaginable scale."
    • How close were the terrorists to implementing their planned attack?
    • Was Al Qaeda involved?
    • How will this change travel for Americans at home and abroad?
    • What does this say about the state of the War on Terror?
  • New Book by the chair and co-chair of the 9/11 commission: "Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission."
    • How safe are we?
    • Is this plot discovery an example of the system working or does it highlight our areas of vulnerability and re-emphasize the dangerous determination of terrorists?
  • Decision 2006
    • How will former Vice Presidential nominee and three-term Senator Joe Lieberman's primary loss affect the Democratic party and incumbents nationwide?
    • Should Lieberman continue his independent bid for re-election?
    • How will the terror threat and the war in Iraq affect the political landscape in the 2006 elections?
• Guests
  • Secretary Michael Chertoff
    • Secretary of Homeland Security | Bio
    • Also appearing on
      • NBC Meet the Press
      • Fox News Sunday
      • CBS Face the Nation
      • CNN Late Edition
    • Homeland Security Sec'y Michael Chertoff on Foiled Terror Plot (Fox News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff says plot looks like al-Qaida operation (MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2006)
    • US Security Tightened in Wake of UK Exposure of Terror Plot (TREND Information - Aug 11, 2006)
    • CHERTOFF: NOT CERTAIN ALL PLOTTERS FOUND (Free Market News Network, FL - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff: Airline Travel Is Safe, ButÂ… (CNSNews.com, VA - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Former Governor Tom Kean (Republican - New Jersey)
    • Chair, 9/11 Commission, Author, “Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission” | Bio | Book
    • 9/11 Commission Chairmen Admit Whitewashing the Cause of the Attacks (American Chronicle, CA - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Question of US safety still a political talking point (Bridgewater Courier News,  United States - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Why We Don't Know Our Enemy (Kenya London News, Kenya - Aug 9, 2006)
    • 9/11 Probe Calls for National Security Overhaul (Enkidu Magazine, Mexico - Aug 4, 2006)
    • Kean Sr. takes a look back (The Jersey Journal, NJ - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Former Congressman Lee Hamilton (Democrat - Indiana)
    • Vice Chair, 9/11 Commission, Author, “Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission” | Bio | Book
    • 9/11 Commission Vice Chair Lee Hamilton '52 Reacts to New Survey on Terror 'Conspiracy Theory' (DePauw University, Indiana - Aug 3, 2006)
    • 9/11 Commission Chairmen Admit Whitewashing the Cause of the Attacks (American Chronicle, CA - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Video: New Book by 9/11 Commissioners Blasts Pentagon Mistatements (Raw Story, MA - Aug 10, 2006)
    • I didn't get 9/11 free pass - Rudy (New York Daily News, NY - Aug 6, 2006)
    • Worn-out principle (Indianapolis Star, United States - Aug 6, 2006)
    • Book: Sept. 11 Panel Doubted Officials (ABC News - Aug 4, 2006)
    • Book: 9/11 Panel Considered Pentagon Deceptive (NBC 10.com, PA - Aug 4, 2006)
  • Howard Dean
    • Chairman, Democratic National Committee | Bio
    • Rep. Harris demands Howard Dean apologize (Hinesberg Journal, Canada - Aug 10, 2006)
    • DNC: Dean on Republican Post-Primary Spin (U.S. Newswire (press release), DC - Aug 9, 2006)
    • Howard Dean calls for end to divisiveness (Jackson News-Tribune, WY - Aug 3, 2006)
    • Answers to questions I hope my grandson will someday ask me (American Daily, OH - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Howard Dean Taking Pot Shots (FOX News - Jul 31, 2006)
  • Ken Mehlman
    • Chairman, Republican National Committee | Bio
    • RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman Responds To Harry Reid And John KerryÂ’s Attacks On The Administration (noticias.info (press release), Spain - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Mehlman: Sherrod Brown Is Ohio's Ned Lamont (National Journal, DC - Aug 9, 2006)
    • Head of GOP stumps for Ohio candidates (Akron Beacon Journal, OH - Aug 10, 2006)
    • GOP hits Dems on missile defense (United Press International - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Mehlman Attacks Murtha With Report Retracted Six Weeks Ago (Think Progress, DC - Aug 10, 2006)
    • The politics of terrorism (CNN - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Bust heats up election rhetoric (Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 12 hours ago)
• What would you like to ask this week's guests? (web page for submitting questions for this weeks show)
• Meet the Press mailbox (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

Fox News Sunday (Chris Wallace)

• Meme:
  • More attempted terrorist attacks... so, we didn't need the NSA program?
  • Is Ned Lamont a moonbat?
  • The Stalinist wing of the Democrats beat out lefty Joe in a lefty state - does that mean trouble for Republicans in red states?
• Topics:
  • Latest on foiled terror plot against planes flying from the UK to the US
    • The latest findings from the investigation
    • Ramifications for the war on terror
    • Safety of commercial flights
  • The victory by Ned Lamont in the Connecticut Democrat Senate Primary
    • What does this weekÂ’s vote say about Democratic views and public sentiment about the war?
• Guests
  • Secretary Michael Chertoff
    • Secretary of Homeland Security | Bio
    • Also appearing on
      • NBC Meet the Press
      • Fox News Sunday
      • CBS Face the Nation
      • CNN Late Edition
    • Homeland Security Sec'y Michael Chertoff on Foiled Terror Plot (Fox News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff says plot looks like al-Qaida operation (MarketWatch - Aug 11, 2006)
    • US Security Tightened in Wake of UK Exposure of Terror Plot (TREND Information - Aug 11, 2006)
    • CHERTOFF: NOT CERTAIN ALL PLOTTERS FOUND (Free Market News Network, FL - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Chertoff: Airline Travel Is Safe, ButÂ… (CNSNews.com, VA - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Representative Pete Hoekstra (Republican - Michigan)
    • House web site | Bio
    • Ban on liquids in cabin baggage may continue for some time (Earthtimes.org - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Hoekstra says terrorism an everyday reality (WOOD-TV, MI - Aug 10, 2006)
    • US Rep. Pete Hoekstra in Israel (WZZM, MI - Jul 23, 2006)
    • Suspects pushed inquiry to crisis level (AZ Central.com, AZ - Aug 11, 2006)
  • Ned Lamont
    • Democratic Senate Nominee, Connecticut
    • Campaign web site | blog | Bio
    • Ned Lamont to Apologize to Waterbury Mayor for Slimy Slight (FOX News - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lamont Daughter's Vote Disqualified (Washington Post, United States - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lieberman says Lamont doesn't understand terrorist danger (Boston Globe - Aug 11, 2006)
    • Lamont Savors Win as Lieberman Concedes for Now (Greenwich Citizen - Aug 11, 2006)
• Fox News Sunday contact information - FNS@foxnews.com

[Phsstpok]

Ping

The Weekend Preview Thread is up

If you would like on or off my ping list please Freepmail me

FreeRepublic thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/1682226/posts

cross posted to

http://wizards.townhall.com/

See the initial post for my "usual witty commentary"

[Peach]

Thank you once again for an oustanding job.

MTP sounds absolutely deplorable this week. The 9/11 Commission Chairs are such narcissists that they are unwatchable.

And for all the people whining that "we haven't followed the 9/11 Commission recommendations", with the exception of cargo inspections, I don't think any of the whiners have been specific and they seem to forget we've been safe for half a decade.

[Chuck54]

Thanks Phsstpok!

[Txsleuth]

BUMP

[Bahbah]

From the Technometria review of l776: "The biggest lesson to draw from the first year is “don’t give up.” There were a few ups for the American Army, but many more disappointments and it’s easy to see how many would have thought that there was no hope...."

I am reading this book now and the designation of "disappointments" does not convey how brutally awful that period was. Those who perservered were truly amazing individuals. This was the time, by the way, that some of my ancestors came to this country, on the wrong side. They were Hessians.

[mathluv]

Excellent job, as always.

Why, oh why, does FNS have lamont on? Will they try to show what an idiot he is?

Did anyone watch bor last night? For once, his show wasn't too bad. Ellis Hennican mentioned FR as one of the extreme far-right blogs.

[Bahbah]

Will they try to show what an idiot he is?

I really don't think he'll need any help with that.

[Phsstpok]

Mark Kilmer has posted his Sunday Morning Preview over at the relaunched RedState.COM:

The Sunday Morning Talk Shows: preview

By Mark Kilmer

For Sunday, August 13, 2006

Meet the Press (NBC): Host Tim Russert talks to Homeland Security Secretary Mike Chertoff; Hamilton and Kean, which stopped its official existence on August 21, 2004; and Ken Mehlman vs. Howard Dean, probably for some post mortems on "Lieberman vs. Ned, I."

FOX News Sunday (FNS): Host Chris Wallace talks to Secretary Chertoff and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra. Then he chats with Ned.

Face the Nation (CBS): Host Bob Schieffer chats with Chertoff, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts and Jane Harman of the House Intelligence Committee. And Ned.

This Week (ABC): Host George Stephanopoulos talks to Chertoff, then... THE BIG REUNION! Senators John McCain (R-Arizona) and Russ Feingold (D-Cheese), both of whom want your votes in '08, will be together on the same show, with Steph, to talk about their minds' versions of "the world according to..." the distinguished Senator.

Late Edition (CNN): Host Wolf Blitzer chats with Chertoff, Hegel and Reed, and his usual cast of thousands.
-----

(read more!)

Posted in Special Features — Comments (0)/ Email this page » / Read More »

His analysis of the guests is posted behind the Read More link.  He provides a link back here to this thread again this week.  WooHoo!

(Phsstpok) has a through and clever preview of these shows up at Free Republic, which I find both entertaining and informative. The thread is well worth the look.

I like the network we're building up on this subject.  His Sunday afternoon review of the Sunday morning shows is also always interesting and informative.  Unlike me he obviously sits and watches all of the Sunday morning shows then builds his review.  I count on getting some things from folks on the thread for shows I can't catch, or pick it up later from podcasts or transcripts.  I don't think I could stand to do that in one sitting (plus I'd miss AB's thread).  This is a man with some moxie and true dedication!

On Sunday, as usual, I will post a link with the header to his review on ABs thread. 

By the way, if you haven't checked out the revamped RedState I recommend it.  Nice formatting upgrade and they appear to be adding more features, as well as an easier (for me) to navigate interface.  They also have an MP3/podcast available for download of a RedState Radio interview with Rush Limbaugh himself. 

[Bahbah]

Very cool, Phsstpok, I will check out RedState which I haven't had time to do what with all the war going on.

[Phsstpok]

RedState is a great resource. They are primarily oriented to the political fights, but they have some excellent links and commentaries on almost every topic of interest to us.

Their front page this morning currently has links up on:

• RedState Radio: A Conversation with Rush Limbaugh

• The AP and the Green Helmet guy

• LA-02: Rep. Jefferson draws much opposition (cold cash corruption in the big easy)

• The Lost Kos loses it (Lieberman and Lamont)

• Kofi Versus Clausewitz

• I’m tired of conspiracy theorists

• An Objection Without Merit (signing statments)

• How Many Must Die? (NY Times treason)

and much more.

Think FreeRepublic, but actually organized as a shared blog.  And they have free hosting of blogs, as well, so if you like the community you can sign up and post.

They also host some specific sites, such as Confirm Them (judicial nominations) and Right Shelf (news, views, reviews, and interviews on the world of books and ideas from a conservative perspective), among others.  Confirm them is a particularly good resource during nomination battles.

 

 

[Phsstpok]

Well, we have some added spin on the UK terror plot. MSNBC is now floating the spin that the US "pressured" the British authorities to move sooner than they wanted to. The initial item, of course based on anonymous sources, is simply laying out their case that it happened, tossing off mild explanations that the British authorities were content to monitor the suspects while they built their case. The US side supposedely put pressure on for an early arrest because they simply want to prevent the attack, even if it jeapordizes the eventual court case. Sounds like a reasonable argument to have. I bet it's the last time we hear anything remotely like it, though.

I can see several themes spinning off of this. First is that the US is dictating to their "lapdogs" in the UK. Second is going to be the attempt to legitamize the moonbat charge that this is all a fake, gened up by Bush and company to distract from some other issue or, as David Corn has accused, to try to make political points related to the Lamont victory. If this is the case watch for Lamont himself to take up this charge.

And if they do that it is an open declaration of war, with bullets and body count, on the elected government of the United States by the Democrat Party. People will die if that's the way they intend to play it. This could be a very scary development.

[rodguy911]

Great job as usual phsstpok, unending work here.
I think it will be interesting to listen to the stalking points that have been fed to ned lamont the worlds second dumbest senator wannabe after nelson of fla.
This guy is nothing but a rich phony and a conn man, I doubt he will have any solutions at all except it's time for someone else,! Well we all know whatever GW does is wrong but where are their solutions?

[eleni121]

Who was the mouthpiece in for Tim "duh"? Russbelt today?

He got his digs in on Giuliani towards the end. Creeps.

[eleni121]

Beautiful job and thanks for the listings...everything at our fingertips right here to dembfound the PMSM.