Lauer Pelts Pelosi's Foreign Fling: 'A Lot of People Think She Messed Up

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I suppose you could chalk it up to his concern for the Dems' long-term best interests, but there's no denying that on this morning's "Today," Matt Lauer absolutely unloaded on Nancy Pelosi and her ill-conceived venture into foreign policy.

The segment was entitled "Democratic Diplomacy: Has Pelosi Gone Too Far?", virtually answering the question by its very asking. In the set-up piece, David Gregory rolled two telling clips. The first was of VP Cheney's comments on the Rush Limbaugh show yesterday to the effect that Pelosi's statement regarding her trip was"nonsensical." The second was of former congressman Lee Hamilton, warning that if his fellow Dems box in the president on foreign policy, Americans might conclude that the Democrats have gone "too far."

Interviewing Tim Russert at 7:06 AM ET, Lauer came out guns ablazin'.

LAUER: Vice-President Cheney called Nancy Pelosi's trip to Syria "bad behavior," a Washington Post editorial on Thursday called it "counter-productive and foolish," and op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this morning goes a step further and suggests her trip may actually have been a felony, that it may have violated something called the Logan Act. Tim, is this the way the Democrats wanted to get off the mark in terms of foreign affairs?

View video here.

RUSSERT: No, they clearly wanted to distinguish themselves from the president's policies, but you have to be careful, as Congressman Hamilton suggested. One ranking Democrat, Matt, said "we have an alternative Democratic foreign policy." That is going to be very difficult to articulate and put into place when you don't control the White House. On the other hand, Speaker Pelosi issued a statement last night on behalf of the bi-partisan delegation she is leading. Her delegation includes Republican congressmen. She is saying she has done nothing wrong or inconsistent with American foreign policy.

LAUER: Well, that's their side of the story. However, if you look back at the mid-term elections, clearly some voters in this country were unhappy with the administration's foreign policy, specifically in Iraq; it's one of the reasons we think Democrats took control of Congress. But if the Democrats and Speaker Pelosi appear to be acting irresponsibly or incompetently, and let's face it, a lot of people think she messed up on this one, what's the impact for Democrats overall?

RUSSERT: It's considerable. The Democrats have always had a difficulty being competitive with the Republicans in the public voter's mind on national security and foreign policy issues. And if the people perceive missteps, it's going to create and underscore that perceptual problem of Democrats.

LAUER: And let's go back to the point you touched on a second ago. If it's seen . . . what is the bigger and longer-term issue here if a political party is seen as usurping presidential power in designing and implementing foreign policy?

RUSSERT: As we learned in 1994 Matt, when Republicans took control of Congress with the Republican revolution and the Contract With America, people voted for change. But the voters are also willing to turn that around on its head, if they believe people have gone too far. That's why this debate is so important.

Message to Speaker Pelosi: how do you know when you've messed up? When David Gregory and Matt Lauer respectfully cite VP Cheney's criticism of you.

Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Lauer-pelts-Pelosi ping to Today show list.

[bray]

Nice of DNC spokesman and perjurer Russert to cover for her. What a hack!

Pray for W and Our Troops

[mainepatsfan]

Folks I know who aren’t interested in politics are even taking shots at her. She’s bleeped up big time.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Interesting, and very telling. Just watching her immature and self-satisfied grin while wearing her head scarf makes my blood boil.

[COBOL2Java]

What a spectacle. Liberal Democrat journalists wringing their hands over what's become of their vaunted 2006 election "victory" with its supposed concomitant "mandate." This while still pretending to be unbiased. Warms the cockles of my heart...

[Savage Beast]

Is purjury a felony?

[advance_copy]

Is purjury a felony?

Only if you are a Republican.

[Elyse]

Does anyone know which Republicans went with her? Were they there to keep an eye on her or did they agree with her going?

[Always Right]

Democrats Foreign Policy: Tie Americas hands behind its back and let everyone take their best swings.

[Waco]

Syria wants her for a sucicide bomber but she must go out in the desert and practice some more.

[Red Badger]

What is the reaction of the average DUmmie to her actions?...........

[nocommies]

not if youre bill and hillary clinton

[Eagle of Liberty]

Message to Speaker Pelosi: how do you know when you've messed up? When David Gregory and Matt Lauer respectfully cite VP Cheney's criticism of you.

And DON'T bash Rush Limbaugh while doing it. They totally glossed over that Cheney said these things on Rush's show. That usually automatically causes an instant criticism of Rush.

[mainepatsfan]

The thing is I don’t think she for one second understands how badly she appears right now. On top of that I don’t think anyone in the Dem caucus has the guts to tell her that.

[traderrob6]

“And if the people perceive missteps, it’s going to create and underscore that perceptual problem of Democrats.”

It’s not perceptual Mr Potato Head it’s a reality.

[Aquinasfan]

Just watching her immature and self-satisfied grin while wearing her head scarf makes my blood boil.

Pictures please!

[mainepatsfan]

When Republicans win an election the media tells us that things in politics can change quickly. When the Dems win one the media tells us the electorate has dramatically shifted and the GOP must change completely if they wish to survive.

[mainepatsfan]

Anything short of holding impeachment hearings against Bush is a disappointment to them.

[dearolddad]

Is purjury a felony?

Only if you are a Republican.