Weekend Show *Preview* for 12/9 - 12/10/06 (not the live thread)

Network and Cable News Networks | 12/9/06 | Network and Cable News Shows

[Phsstpok]

Saturday Shows for December 9, 2006

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:
  • Mort, quickly, stick your finger in the wind and tell us which way the cocktail party chatter points!
  • Is Barack's empty suit already too big for Hillary to challenge him?  No?  Pump up the volume!!!
    
  • Perfect! criticizing Jimmy Carter by simply reporting on other people criticizing Jimmy Carter.  Safe and nasty.  What could be better?
• Topics:
  • Decision time for Bush on Iraq; what's the president's next move?
  • How will Hillary Clinton change her '08 plans as Barack Obama gathers support?
  • Jimmy Carter dissed! We'll tell you why
• 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:
  • Just in time for Christmas!  Lil Timmah stops promoting other people's books and takes this rare chance to promote a book... his own.
• Topics:
  • Turning the tables, Tom Brokaw interviews Tim about his bestselling book, "Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons."
• Guests
  • Tom Brokaw
• CNBC's Tim Russert Show airs Saturday at 7pm, 10pm & 1am ET

Fox News Watch (Eric Burns)

• Meme:
  • Don't blame the messenger.  We're just reporting the news, not making it.  What was that you said?
  • How dare someone use the media to criticize Saint Jimmuh?
  • You did know that it was a news helicopter that found James Kim, didn't you?  Yes, he was dead, but we found him!
    
• Topics:
  • ISG Report: Are the media reporting on it or spinning it?
  • Carter Controversy: Former longtime aide to Pres. Carter takes his criticism of new book to the media
  • Coverage of Kim family's ordeal
• 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:
  • And from the late night talk show ghetto, actual news worthy and informative discussions... as usual.
• Topics:
  • Opinion Journal web page: "Human Shields"
    • A new report on how Islamists use civilians as shields, and what our military leaders can do about it.
    • How President Bush should respond to the Iraq Study Group recommendations
    • Two senators tell Exxon to shut up about climate change, or else.
  • Fox News Channel web page - no separate listing as of 12 Noon, 12/9/06
• Guests
  • none listed
• 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 11 p.m. and again Sunday at 6 a.m. ET

[Phsstpok]

NBC Meet The Press (Tim Russert)

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.

• Meme:
  • The wise men of the ISG have spoken, so we will praise them as the gods they are (so long as Bush disagrees with them, even if we don't agree with everything they say either)
  • The Neocons are dead, long live the Neoliberals!
  • What Tim Russert said when planning this weeks show: "I know, let's have a panel discussion with one guy who only thinks the war may be lost and three people who not only think it's lost, but who want to debate whether George Bush should be strangled, shot or burned alive as punishment."
  • OK, everybody owes Tom Ricks an apology... his lies and fantasies turn out to be the point of view we all want to get behind now
• Topics:
  • The Iraq Study Group Report
    • Four days after delivering their report to President Bush, the Co-Chairs of the Iraq Study Group discuss their recommendations for winning the war in Iraq.
    • The report listed 79 recommendations for changes in U.S. policy on Iraq, but what are the chances for implementation?
    • Where do we go from here?  Four military and foreign policy experts weigh in on the report and its repercussions on U.S. involvement in Iraq & the Middle East.
• Guests
  • James Baker
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy web site | Bio
    • James Baker, “realist” (Hot Air, MD - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker report: Israel must withdraw from Golan (Ynetnews - Dec 6, 2006)
    • ISG recommendations be implemented all-together: James Baker (The News - International, Pakistan - Dec 8, 2006)
    • The Iraq Study Group and James Baker’s Saudi Connection: Dem Skepticism Takes a Magical Holiday (Men's News Daily, CA - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Troops Out, Oil Companies In: The Baker Agenda? (Huffington Post, NY - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker reacts to 'surrender monkey' press (Washington Times - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about James Baker (Reuters AlertNet, UK - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Presidential ingratitude (Boston Globe - Dec 9, 2006)
    • James Zogby: Bush and the ISG (Yahoo! News - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Lee Hamilton
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • President and Director of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | Bio
    • Heed Hamilton (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Hamilton: Iraq Recommendations Must Be Implemented As a Whole (Voice of America - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about Lee Hamilton (Reuters AlertNet - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker, Hamilton Discuss "New Way Forward" Proposal for Iraq (PBS - Dec 6, 2006)
    • A bipartisan path to surrender? (Washington Times, DC - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Jimmy Lohman: Lee Hamilton - So Easy to Ignore (BuzzFlash - Dec 7, 2006)
  • Ken Adelman
    • Former member of Secretary Rumsfeld's Defense Policy Board
    • Right Web Profile
    • Ken Adelman: a Rat Abandons a Ship of Fools (Harper's Magazine, NY - Nov 20, 2006)
    • Death of the Blair doctrine (The Age, Australia - Dec 3, 2006)
    • Neo-cons lash out at Bush over Iraq war planning (ABC Online, Australia - Nov 20, 2006)
    • END OF THE AFFAIR (The New Yorker - Nov 13, 2006)
  • Eliot Cohen
    • Military Historian and Professor at Johns Hopkins School of International Studies
    • Author Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime
    • Right Web Profile
    • "The ISG Speaks Not For Me," Or, "It's The Mullahs, Stupid" (Town Hall, DC - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Neocons Move to Preempt Report: Jim Lobe (Antiwar.com, CA - Dec 5, 2006)
    • Defending Rumsfeld (Indiana Daily Student - Nov 12, 2006)
    • Bush adrift (Town Hall, DC - Nov 27, 2006)
    • New consensus emerges on Iraq—we were wrong (FinalCall.com, IL - Nov 7, 2006)
    • Weighing Options for the Best Exit from Iraq (NPR All Things Considered - Nov 13, 2006) Note: streaming audio
  • Richard Haass
    • President of the Council on Foreign Relations
    • Council on Foreign Relations web site | Bio
    • SPIEGEL INTERVIEW WITH RICHARD HAASS "Iraq Is Not Winnable" (Spiegel Online, Germany - Nov 13, 2006)
    • Iraq Roundtable: Withdrawal, More Troops or Same Strategy? (ABC News - Nov 29, 2006)
    • Is 'American era' ending in Mideast? (Middle East Online, UK - Nov 29, 2006)
    • The real meaning of a Democratic sweep: Neocons or liberals? (Online Journal, FL - Nov 8, 2006)
    • The New Middle East (Foreign Affairs - Nov 1, 2006)
  • Tom Ricks
    • The Washington Post's Senior Military Correspondent
    • Author Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq
    • 'Go big' in Iraq war: US report Pentagon outlines three options (The Age, Australia - Nov 20, 2006)
    • Iraq report recommendations optimistic: analyst (ABC Online, Australia - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Readings in the Age of Empire Doug Bandow (Antiwar.com, CA - Dec 7, 2006)
    • The Israeli interest in Iraq: who has the answer? (Ha'aretz, Israel - Dec 7, 2006)
    • 'Fiasco' details foreign policy failure in Iraq that will haunt us for years (Lincoln Journal Star, NE - Nov 25, 2006)
    • Blaming the Iraqis: What Took So Long? (ZNet, MA - Dec 5, 2006)
• 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]

CBS Face The Nation (Bob Schieffer)

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.

• Meme:
  • The wise men of the ISG have spoken, so we will praise them as the gods they are (so long as Bush disagrees with them, even if we don't agree with everything they say either)
  • Newly powerful and triumphant Senator Carl Levin is using his vast brainpower to solve the crisis that McChimpy Bushitler has given us... that's it!  Run away faster!!!!!!
  • Newly restored to his rightful position as undisputed leader of a minority party, let's welcome Trent Lott back! (we'll ask him about racism next time)  What?  Mitch who is on the phone?  Leader of what?  Take a message... then change our phone number...
• Topics:
  • Have We Lost The War In Iraq?
• Guests
  • James Baker
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy web site | Bio
    • James Baker, “realist” (Hot Air, MD - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker report: Israel must withdraw from Golan (Ynetnews - Dec 6, 2006)
    • ISG recommendations be implemented all-together: James Baker (The News - International, Pakistan - Dec 8, 2006)
    • The Iraq Study Group and James Baker’s Saudi Connection: Dem Skepticism Takes a Magical Holiday (Men's News Daily, CA - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Troops Out, Oil Companies In: The Baker Agenda? (Huffington Post, NY - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker reacts to 'surrender monkey' press (Washington Times - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about James Baker (Reuters AlertNet, UK - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Presidential ingratitude (Boston Globe - Dec 9, 2006)
    • James Zogby: Bush and the ISG (Yahoo! News - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Lee Hamilton
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • President and Director of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | Bio
    • Heed Hamilton (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Hamilton: Iraq Recommendations Must Be Implemented As a Whole (Voice of America - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about Lee Hamilton (Reuters AlertNet - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker, Hamilton Discuss "New Way Forward" Proposal for Iraq (PBS - Dec 6, 2006)
    • A bipartisan path to surrender? (Washington Times, DC - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Jimmy Lohman: Lee Hamilton - So Easy to Ignore (BuzzFlash - Dec 7, 2006)
  • Senator Carl Levin, Democrat - Michigan
    • Incoming Chairman, Armed Services Committee
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Levin: 'Stay the course' Iraq policy not working (MSU State News, MI - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Sen. Carl Levin: Withdraw Within 4-6 Months From Iraq (NewsMax.com, FL - Nov 13, 2006)
    • State of War (FOX News - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Reagan: Feeding the alligator (Statesman Journal, OR - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Senate Hearing Shows Differing Views on Iraq Study Group Report (Washington File, DC - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Michigan lawmakers assess Iraq report (WWMT, MI - Dec 7, 2006)
  • Senator Trent Lott, Republican - Mississippi
    • Incoming Minority Whip
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Lott Names Thune Chief Deputy Whip (KELOLAND TV, SD - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Alexander defectors were Collins, Warner (The Hill - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Transcript: Sen. Trent Lott on 'FOX News Sunday' (FOX News - Nov 26, 2006)
    • Trent Lott returns to Senate leadership by beating the White House’s chosen guy (East Valley Tribune, AZ - Dec 1, 2006)
    • In Senate Shift, Big Comeback for Trent Lott (New York Times - Nov 16, 2006)
• Face The Nation contact information - ftn@cbsnews.com

[Phsstpok]

Fox News Sunday (Chris Wallace)

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.

• Meme:
  • The wise men of the ISG have spoken, so we will praise them as the gods they are (so long as Bush disagrees with them, even if we don't agree with everything they say either)
  • Newly powerful and triumphant Senator Chris Dodd is desperately seeking a sandwich opportunity, let's give him some help
  • Newly humbled and obviously delusional Senator Sam Brownback actually thinks that he has a prayer of winning the Presidency, let's begin the process of destroying him
• Topics:
  • the Iraq Study Group's report?
    • President Bush received the much–anticipated Iraq Study Group report this week which outlines solutions for the problems in Iraq. How will the White House and Congress view this document?
    • eaction to the report and look ahead at what’s next in Iraq with one senior Democrat from the Foreign Relations Committee and a Republican with 2008 Presidential aspirations
    • an award-winning composer making the holidays more cheerful — Marvin Hamlisch, the Pops Conductor for the National Symphony.
  • Fox News essay Coming Up on FOX News Sunday
• Guests
  • James Baker
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy web site | Bio
    • James Baker, “realist” (Hot Air, MD - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker report: Israel must withdraw from Golan (Ynetnews - Dec 6, 2006)
    • ISG recommendations be implemented all-together: James Baker (The News - International, Pakistan - Dec 8, 2006)
    • The Iraq Study Group and James Baker’s Saudi Connection: Dem Skepticism Takes a Magical Holiday (Men's News Daily, CA - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Troops Out, Oil Companies In: The Baker Agenda? (Huffington Post, NY - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker reacts to 'surrender monkey' press (Washington Times - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about James Baker (Reuters AlertNet, UK - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Presidential ingratitude (Boston Globe - Dec 9, 2006)
    • James Zogby: Bush and the ISG (Yahoo! News - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Lee Hamilton
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • President and Director of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | Bio
    • Heed Hamilton (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Hamilton: Iraq Recommendations Must Be Implemented As a Whole (Voice of America - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about Lee Hamilton (Reuters AlertNet - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker, Hamilton Discuss "New Way Forward" Proposal for Iraq (PBS - Dec 6, 2006)
    • A bipartisan path to surrender? (Washington Times, DC - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Jimmy Lohman: Lee Hamilton - So Easy to Ignore (BuzzFlash - Dec 7, 2006)
  • Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat - Connecticut
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Sen. Chris Dodd Teases About Presidential Run (NewsMax.com, FL - Dec 8, 2006)
    • As Panel Chief, Dodd Sanguine (Hartford Courant, United States - Dec 8, 2006)
    • US Senate to examine defense production, jobs (Reuters - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Congress must address abuses of Guantanamo detainees (Asbury Park Press, NJ - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Robert D. Novak: Bolton's dismissal was a big win for Chris Dodd (The Union Leader, NH - Dec 7, 2006)
    • People Party vs. Money Party: Who's Who Among the Democrats (AlterNet, CA - Dec 4, 2006)
  • Senator Sam Brownback, Republican - Kansas
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Brownback Tells AP Iraq Should Be Split (Washington Post - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Pro-Life Senator Sam Brownback Says He'll Win GOP Presidential Primary (LifeNews.com, MT - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Republican Senator Sam Brownback takes step toward White House bid (International Herald Tribune, France - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Brownback: Judge should avoid gay marriage cases (Lawrence Journal World, KS - Dec 9, 2006)
    • The strange "blessings" of Sam Brownback (Houston Chronicle, United States - Nov 28, 2006)
    • Sam Brownback: Liberal Globalist (NewsBlaze, CA - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Brownback Calls for More Family Values (Christian Post - Dec 9, 2006)
  • Sunday Roundtable
    • Brit Hume
      • Washington Managing Editor of Fox News
      • If You Thought Impeaching Bush Was a Dead Issue, Think Again (FOX News - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Mara Liasson
      • National Public Radio & Fox News
      • Barack Obama, Still on the Rise (NPR - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Juan Williams
      • National Public Radio & Fox News
      • Iraq Study Group Points to Pullout in 2008 (NPR - Dec 1, 2006)
    • Bill Kristol
      • Weekly Standard and & Fox News
      • Editor Bill Kristol Remembers Jeane Kirkpatrick (NPR Morning Edition, Dec 8, 2006) Note: streaming audio
• Fox News Sunday contact information - FNS@foxnews.com

[Phsstpok]

CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

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.

• Meme:
  • The wise men of the ISG have spoken, so we will praise them as the gods they are (so long as Bush disagrees with them, even if we don't agree with everything they say either)
  • Cat fight!  Nancy vs. Jane!  What, you think we should talk to her about the ISG, the WOT or anything substantive?  Not a chance, just check what the papers are saying!
  • Pay no attention to the fact that the majority of defeated Republicans were RINOs, we're telling you that it was a triumph for the moderates and Chris Shays is the emerging leader... because we say so!
  • The Jihadis Islamists revolutionaries are the good guys, at least in Iraq
  • The Jews Israelis are the bad guys and should be willing to give up their lives land for everyone's peace (just this one more bit... we promise...)
  • OK, everybody owes Bob Woodward an apology... his lies and fantasies turn out to be the point of view we all want to get behind now
• Topics:
  • Finding a way forward in Iraq: Will President Bush act on the Iraq Study Group’s report? We’ll ask co-chairmen James Baker and Lee Hamilton. Plus, an exclusive interview with top Iraqi Shiite leader Abdul Aziz al-Hakim.
• Guests
  • Lee Hamilton
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • President and Director of The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars | Bio
    • Heed Hamilton (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Hamilton: Iraq Recommendations Must Be Implemented As a Whole (Voice of America - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about Lee Hamilton (Reuters AlertNet - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker, Hamilton Discuss "New Way Forward" Proposal for Iraq (PBS - Dec 6, 2006)
    • A bipartisan path to surrender? (Washington Times, DC - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Jimmy Lohman: Lee Hamilton - So Easy to Ignore (BuzzFlash - Dec 7, 2006)
  • James Baker
    • Co-Chairman, Iraq Study Group
    • James A. Baker, III Institute for Public Policy web site | Bio
    • James Baker, “realist” (Hot Air, MD - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker report: Israel must withdraw from Golan (Ynetnews - Dec 6, 2006)
    • ISG recommendations be implemented all-together: James Baker (The News - International, Pakistan - Dec 8, 2006)
    • The Iraq Study Group and James Baker’s Saudi Connection: Dem Skepticism Takes a Magical Holiday (Men's News Daily, CA - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Troops Out, Oil Companies In: The Baker Agenda? (Huffington Post, NY - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Going Bananas: 'NY Post' Pictures Baker and Hamilton as 'Surrender Monkeys' (Editor & Publisher - Dec 7, 2006)
    • GOING BANANAS OVER 'SURRENDER MONKEYS' (New York Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Baker reacts to 'surrender monkey' press (Washington Times - Dec 7, 2006)
    • FACTBOX-Five facts about James Baker (Reuters AlertNet, UK - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Presidential ingratitude (Boston Globe - Dec 9, 2006)
    • James Zogby: Bush and the ISG (Yahoo! News - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Representative Jane Harman, Democrat - California
    • House Select Intelligence Committee
    • House web site | Bio
    • Harman out for intel (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, NY - Nov 29, 2006)
    • South Bay's Jane Harman is out of the running (Daily Breeze, CA - Nov 29, 2006)
    • Rep. Jane Harman is taking political setback in stride (Daily Breeze, CA - Nov 30, 2006)
    • The case against Jane Harman (The Moderate Voice - Nov 28, 2006)
    • Liberals rave as Harman denied key security post (Los Angeles Daily News, CA - Dec 2, 2006)
    • Varied reaction to Iraq Study Group report (Eyewitness News, RI - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Rabbis Crank Up Effort On Abuse Of Detainees (New York Jewish Week,  USA - Dec 6, 2006)
    • The Pelosi-Harman Fault Line (Huffington Post, NY - Nov 21, 2006)
  • Representative Christopher Shays, Republican - Connecticut
    • House Homeland Security Committee
    • House web site | Bio
    • Congressional delegation supportive of report (Danbury News Times, CT - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Iraqi president rejects calls for international conference (Bradenton Herald,  United States - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Iraq's president says nation will address violence, not arbitrators (Lexington Herald Leader, KY - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Ethics reformers in House push for independent panel (The Hill, DC - Dec 5, 2006)
    • Lawmakers offer ethics rules for new Congress (ABC News - Dec 5, 2006)
    • Civil Liberties Board Has 1st Session (Washington Post - Dec 5, 2006)
  • Abdul Aziz al-Hakim
    • Leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution of Iraq | Wikipedia Bio
    • Bush Meets With Shiite Leader Abdul-Aziz Al-Hakim (cbs4denver.com, CO - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Q&A: Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, Shiite Leader (Washington Post - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Iraq and the greater Middle East (PBS - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Bush & al-Hakim, Odd Bedfellows (Washington Post - Dec 7, 2006)
    • How To Deal With Iran (New York Sun, NY - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Realpolitik Returns to the Middle East (Spiegel Online, Germany - Dec 6, 2006)
  • Shimon Peres
    • Israeli Vice Premier
    • Bio (from Nobel Prize web site)
    • Israel's Shimon Peres calls Iran weak (Seattle Post Intelligencer - Nov 29, 2006)
    • Peres shrugs off P.A. unity talks (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, NY - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Shimon Peres: Palestinian Unity Government a Facade (Voice of America - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Shimon Peres: one of Israel's top priorities is to destroy Hamas (Palestine News Network, Palestinian Territories - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Peres: Hamas Does Not Want Peace (Arutz Sheva, Israel - Dec 5, 2006)
    • Israeli slams ISG ideas (Monsters and Critics.com, UK - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Bob Woodward
    • Washington Post Assistant Managing Editor
    • Author State of Denial: Bush at War, Part III
    • Bob Woodward vs. Laura Bush (Truthdig, United States - Nov 27, 2006)
    • Woodward returns to subject of war (Toledo Blade, OH - Nov 26, 2006)
    • After Watergate -- fame, wealth and bitterness (OregonLive.com, OR - Nov 26, 2006)
    • STATE OF DENIAL: Now What? (New York Times Book Review - Nov 10, 2006)
  • John Burns
    • New York Times Baghdad bureau chief
    • WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE … [Cliff May] (National Review Online Blogs, NY - Nov 25, 2006)
    • Report: Iraq Insurgency May Have Deep Pockets (TheDay, CT - Nov 26, 2006)
    • Saddam back in court for Kurd genocide case (The Register-Guard, Oregon - Nov 8, 2006)
    • New York Times Still Wants War (Huffington Post, NY - Nov 13, 2006)
• CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

ABC This Week (George Stephanopoulos)

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.

• Meme:
  • Tony, Tony, Tony!  We really wanted to like you, after the love you lavished on Bill and Hill.  But you betrayed us all... why not leave office now and spare us all of the pain of criticizing a Labour Party socialist liberal moderate?
  • The wise men of the ISG have spoken, so we will praise them as the gods they are (so long as Bush disagrees with them, even if we don't agree with everything they say either)
  • Newly powerful and triumphant Senator Joe Biden is using his vast brainpower to solve the crisis that McChimpy Bushitler has given us... that's it!  Divide up Iraq.. no wait...  run away... no wait.... has he ever told you about how the baseball's anti-trust exemption works... no wait... did you know he knows how a triple play works... no wait...
  • Newly humbled (and up for re-election in 2 years in liberal Oregon) Senator Gordon Smith knows exactly what it takes to get face time on a Sunday morning talk show
  • Leftists are not haters of the military!  And to prove it they bring on lovable old Lou Grant, who wants us all to send Christmas holiday cards to the troops in Iraq.  Of course, he doesn't tell you what he wants to put on those cards...
• Topics:
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair sits down for a candid one-on-one interview with George Stephanopoulos to discuss the current reality and future plans for Iraq
  • Incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del, and Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Ore, react to the ISG report and weigh in on its recommendations
  • VOICES: Emmy award-winning actor Ed Asner talks about the importance of supporting our troops this holiday season
• Guests
  • British Prime Minister Tony Blair
    • 10 Downing Street web site | Bio
    • President Bush Meets with Vital Ally, Tony Blair (NPR - Dec 7, 2006)
    • President Bush and Tony Blair Divided At News Conference Concerning the Iraq Study Group Report – Blair Wants to Talk to Iran (Best Syndication, Dec 7, 2006)
    • How much longer should UK troops remain in Iraq? (News & Star, UK - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Tony Blair to spend 20 billion pounds to modernize British nuclear arsenal (Pravda, Russia - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Tony Blair: 'Fit in.. or stay out' (The Sun, UK - Dec 8, 2006)
  • Senator Joe Biden, Democrat - Delaware
    • Incoming Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Joe Biden, Lindsey Graham, Stephen Breyer, Roundtable (RealClearPolitics, IL - Dec 3, 2006)
    • Joe Biden: Crazy, But In An Entertaining Way (National Review Online Blogs, NY - Dec 4, 2006)
    • Senate Panel Seeks India's Help on Iran (Fars News Agency, Iran - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Outing Joe Bidens inner wannabe Bubba (The Argus, CA - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Some of Joe Biden's Favorite Donut Vendors are Indian (Wonkette (satire), DC - Dec 5, 2006)
  • Senator Gordon Smith, Republican - Oregon
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Smith says Iraq war may be "criminal" (Seattle Times - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Thoughts on Sen. Gordon Smith's Speech 07-Dec-06 (TPMCafe, NY - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Smith's war critique cracks wall of support (OregonLive.com - Dec 9, 2006)
    • Smith, Wyden fight to kep timber aid flowing (KTVZ, OR - Dec 7, 2006)
    • RIP salvage bill (The Register-Guard, OR - Dec 8, 2006)
    • Gordon Smith: Not a moderate, not a maverick. Russell Sadler (BlueOregon, OR - Dec 3, 2006)
    • Olbermann: Is 'Authoritarian' 'Criminal' Bush 'Worst Ever' President (NewsBusters - Dec 9, 2006)
    • 2008: Gordon Smith in the news (BlueOregon, OR - Nov 13, 2006)
  • Voices segment: Ed Asner
    • Ed Asner encourages the sending of holiday cards to US troops (Asbury Park Press, NJ - Dec 1, 2006)
    • ‘A Nation Deceived: A Work in Progress’ (Truthdig, United States - Nov 16, 2006)
  • ROUNDTABLE:
    • George Will
      • A Report Overtaken by Reality (Washington Post - Dec 7, 2006)
    • Cokie Roberts
      • Roberts' Views -- Stop attacking the press (Rhinelander Daily News, WI - Dec 6, 2006)
    • Sam Donaldson
      • Exploring the F-bomb (OregonLive.com, OR - Dec 1, 2006)
    • Fareed Zakaria
      • Pakistan must stop backing Taliban (The Buffalo News - Dec 5, 2006)
  • Emmy award-winning actor Ed Asner
• ABC This Week comment web page

[Phsstpok]

Ping

The Weekend Talk Show Preview Thread is up

If you want on or off my ping list please Freepmail me

It will be cross posted (eventually) to my blog at

http://wizards.townhall.com/

The Iraq Survey Group has delivered their tablets from the mountain and it is time for all of us to accept the fact that we have been defeated in Iraq and to stop worshipping the false god of democracy and freedom!  It's just too hard!  Instead we must accept Realpolitik and turn over all of the Middle East to the Islamists because we want to keep the oil flowing.  Those annoying Jews will just have to get over that whole Israel thing.  They should go back to their European ghettos homes, where they'll be safe and cared for.  They'll even be given jobs, after all, "work makes one free."   Oh, and Americans must accept rule by the unelected committees of wise men like the ISG because they simply know what's best for us.  Or at least that's what the Sunday shows want us to believe....

... I think they have gone far beyond any possible relationship to reality and are in for some very harsh lessons .  They don't realize how razor thin their November victories were.  They don't realize how they are now shouting at the top of their lungs how stupid they think the people are who they fooled into either voting for them as "moderates" or not voting at all as a way to "punish the Republicans and deliver a message to them."  The "buyers remorse" for this election is going to be  a bitch...

... We are moving on from the election and the DBM are trying to make out as if hundreds of seats changed hands in the House and that the Dhimmicrats have a veto proof majority in the Senate.  They didn't and they don't.  Watch for stories about "Republican obstructionism" to dominate coverage for the next two years.  Question: does anyone have a link to a single story in the DBM about "Democrat obstructionism" from the last 5 years?  The DBM's effort now is about trying to make the Dhimmicrat's dominance of the agenda a foregone conclusion, particularly as it relates to Iraq and the War on Terror.  Their intention is to do to us now what Uncle Walter did to us in Vietnam, namely cause us to lose.  The difference is that in Vietnam the Pajama Media didn't exist.  It appears we have our work cut out for us...

[OldFriend]

The media managed to turn America into a reasonable facsimilie of Spain.

Shame on us.

Shame on those pundits on our side who helped the MSM in their efforts.

[Darth Republican]

Phsstpok informatively wrote:

Instead we must accept Realpolitik and turn over all of the Middle East to the Islamists because we want to keep the oil flowing. Those annoying Jews will just have to get over that whole Israel thing. They should go back to their European ghettos homes, where they'll be safe and cared for. They'll even be given jobs, after all, "work makes one free."

But thanks to the Dems and their incessant socialist whining, the resettled Jews won't even be able to get good jobs at the Wal-Macht stores anymore.

[Txsleuth]

Great thread as usual...

Boy has the MSM just gobbled up the Gordon Smith speech...I think I have seen or heard it about 20 times already..and it makes me madder every time.

I haven't seen or heard the same MSM even MENTION Rick Santorum's speech...which was posted here on FR as it's own thread...because the speech was so good.

But, of course his speech was a passionate speech based on the history of what brought us to this point...and the future if we quit.

NOT what the MSM wants the regular American to know..

[IOWAfan]

I feel like I need to throw some Kudos to anyone who can watch this drivel any more... Your constitution is stronger than mine.

A highlight of my Sunday Mornings used to be watching David Brinkley's show - Will, Roberts and Donnellson (sp?) were great conversationalists and no one heard DNC talking points out of them much (I admired Cokie, even though she was steeped in Democratic "tradition" in her family - I think being a Catholic kept her imminently watchable even though her husband is a kook).

but she, too can now be abrasive when I've seen her lately...

closest I get to the Sunday Talk shows is MAYBE a quick browse of the live thread and this...

my Doctor and I are both worried about blood pressure issues I need to control, and I really can't afford to replace TVs at the rate I may destroy them...

[rodguy911]

wow what a riveting cast, great job as usual Phsstpok and I totally agree that we will kick some ass next time around.
However, I am going to do a little ranting tomorrow about how and why we need to come together about the top of the ticket.

[Bahbah]

Great job, Phsstpok, as usual, and I thank you for it.

how and why we need to come together about the top of the ticket.

One thing I am trying very hard to do in this regard is to simply continue to observe and listen to the potential candidates and not to start TRASHING any of them for a position or two that does not agree with mine. I wish everyone would just keep their powder dry while the field shakes out. (Yes, I know I'm an optimist.)

[uncbob]

The democrats have been all over Bush about the progress of the war for the last two years with NO PLANS
of their own

Now that they control congress the thinking was --Now the onus is on them to do something and the country
will see what boobs they are with no real ideas

NOT SO



Because a "BIPARTISAN " ISG with Meese--Eagleberger and Baker ( all former high ranking members of GOP administrations) has given them all the cover they need

They don't need any plans or anything at all for that matter .All they have to do for the next 2 years is SHOUT

IMPLEMENT THE ***BIPARTISAN*** ISG RECCOMENDATIONS

[Carolinamom]

Doesn't ANYONE even note that former UN Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick died?

[Bahbah]

That absolute giant of a woman and political figure has been almost entirely ignored, as I see you have noticed.

[Phsstpok]

and I will shout back at them

STUFF THE ***BIPARTISAN*** RACIST AND EVIL ISG RECCOMENDATIONS

[Phsstpok]

Doesn't ANYONE even note that former UN Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick died?

It's not one of the listed topics, but I highlighted this piece in the listings for FNS:

Editor Bill Kristol Remembers Jeane Kirkpatrick (NPR Morning Edition, Dec 8, 2006) Note: streaming audio

as the only linked item for Bill Kristol, guessing that at least he will mention her passing during the Roundtable.  It's apparent that Baker was an enemy of Ambassador Kirkpatrick.  It's truly a shame that she wasn't around to provide her incite on the Surrender Monkey's report.

[Darth Republican]

Doesn't ANYONE even note that former UN Ambassador Jean Kirkpatrick died?

Considering that she had a bigger pair (figuratively) than Snuffleupagus, Scheiffer and Lil' Timmah do in reality... no.

[Txsleuth]

Just thought I would drop in and mention that Fox News just reported that Sean Hannity is in Iraq with Rummy....

Neat, huh?