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Vieira to McCain About War Opponents: 'What Are We Missing?'
NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 03/28/2007 5:03:28 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest

Having participated in an anti-war march in NYC at the time of the 2004 GOP convention, there's been little doubt as to where Meredith Vieira stands on Iraq. Even so, it was something of a shock to hear the "Today" co-host express her opposition in the first person plural this morning.

Discussing the war with Sen. John McCain [R-AZ] at about 7:05 AM ET this morning, she said:

"Six out of ten Americans don't agree [with you]. They want a pull-out from Iraq. So what are we missing? When you say we are succeeding, based on what?"

Give credit to Meredith for candor, but one more reason for NBC to stop pretending it doesn't lean left.

View video here.

Credit McCain for hitting a Dem nail on the head a bit earlier in the exchange. In the set-up piece, a clip was played of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid [D-NV] saying on the Senate floor: "This war is not worth the spilling of another drop of American blood."

MCCAIN: If that's true, that why doesn't Senator Reid and the Democrats propose cutting off funding and bring them home tomorrow? Why wait 18 months?

EARLY SHOW BONUS COVERAGE: Interviewing McCain over on CBS, co-host Hannah Storm demonstrated how hard it is for members of the MSM to understand Republican politics, it being so foreign to them.

STORM: Senator, turning to the presidential race, in many polls you've fallen behind Rudy Giuliani among Republican voters. Are you concerned that your position on this war, and your support of sending more troops in, might cost you your dream of becoming president?

MCCAIN: It may but I can't worry about it, Hannah. . This is too important. This is far more important than any political ambition I might have. I'd much rather lose a campaign than lose a war.

Nicely said, but surely McCain understands what Storm doesn't. First, that McCain's support for the surge and opposition to setting a date for withdrawal is indistinguishable from Giuliani's and Romney's. Second, it is precisely McCain's support for the war that is keeping him in the Republican primary race.

There's a perfect illustration of what happens to otherwise-conservative Republicans like Chuck Hagel [R-NE] who oppose the war. They hold press conferences announcing that they might announce in a year, meaning they realize they have no chance in a Republican primary. McCain has faltered not because he has been too staunch a war supporter but because of his insufficient conservatism on tax cuts, campaign finance reform and immigration But how could you expect an MSMer to understand that?

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: elections; hannahstorm; iraq; mccain; vieira

1 posted on 03/28/2007 5:03:30 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; YaYa123; MEG33; ...

Vieira-bares-her-war-opposition ping to Today show list.


2 posted on 03/28/2007 5:04:29 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

"What are we missing"???

About half your brain, and two thirds of your soul.


3 posted on 03/28/2007 5:09:19 AM PDT by dangerbird
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
"What are we missing?"

Reality

4 posted on 03/28/2007 5:11:32 AM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: BallyBill
Reality

Well stated.

5 posted on 03/28/2007 5:13:26 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
...one more reason for NBC to stop pretending it doesn't lean left.

LEAN left? Their left ear is scraping the pavement.

6 posted on 03/28/2007 5:48:03 AM PDT by DCPatriot ("It aint what you don't know that kills you. It's what you know that aint so" Theodore Sturgeon))
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To: governsleastgovernsbest; All
Vieiera said: ""Six out of ten Americans don't agree [with you]. They want a pull-out from Iraq. So what are we missing?"

Okay everyone, I am sick of that statistics being floated around as if it actually means something. First, where did they get that from? Second, if a pollster called me and asked me the generic question, "Do you want the troops home," I'd of course say yes! Who wouldn't say that?

I'd like to see the Rasmussen pollsters ask this question: "Do you support the efforts of the US troops in assisting the fledgling Iraqi government in establishing democracy in Iraq for the Iraqi people?"

7 posted on 03/28/2007 5:51:41 AM PDT by avacado
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
Nicely said, but surely McCain understands what Storm doesn't. First, that McCain's support for the surge and opposition to setting a date for withdrawal is indistinguishable from Giuliani's and Romney's. Second, it is precisely McCain's support for the war that is keeping him in the Republican primary race.

From nice. ..to the truth of the matter. . .

Am getting totally riled that more Repubs are not pointing this out. . .not challenging the 'demrat wisdom of the day' which in time takes hold as a political truism. . .that eventually merges into 'mythical' by it's proportion.

Everytime I hear this I mentally scream. . .it is not the WAR stupid; it is not lack of support FOR the war. . .that these Demrat scumballs rose to Leadership. . .and no matter what they say; these people do not speak for the MAJORITY of Americans.

For the Repubs; it is the 'lack of story/lack of truth' that damages us. (They must know; post Election, that 'talk radio/Rush cannot and should not be expected, to 'do it all'.)

8 posted on 03/28/2007 5:54:00 AM PDT by cricket
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

She's quoting a poll, without any verification of the accuracy of the poll.


9 posted on 03/28/2007 6:08:28 AM PDT by popdonnelly (Our first responsibility is to keep the power of the Presidency out of the hands of the Clintons.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

"What are we missing?"

The ability to be foreward thinking. For example, what will happen if the terrorists win? It seems those who want a pull-out have their heads in the sand and want to believe that the terrorists will go their merry ol' way and leave us alone.


10 posted on 03/28/2007 6:27:13 AM PDT by imskylark
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