Weekend Talk Show *Preview* for 8/25 - 8/26/07 (not the live thread)

Network and Cable News Networks | August 25, 2007 | Network and Cable News

[Phsstpok]

Preview and Analysis for Weekend of August 25^th and 26^th, 2007

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

NBC's "Meet the Press" Sen. John Warner, R-Va. Cyclist Lance Armstrong CBS's "Face the Nation" Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C. Elizabeth Edwards Fox News Sunday Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee

CNN "Late Edition" Former Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan. Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno Sen. Max Cleland, D-Ga. ABC's "This Week" Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers

Very abbreviated analysis this week.  Talk about a day late and several billion dollars short!

NBC Meet The Press vomits forth this weeks traitorous turd, senile Senator John Warner.  You wonder if it only took the offer of face time on Sunday morning to get him to sell out human civilization?  Oh, and Lance Armstrong is now worth talking about since he no longer is meeting with or promoting George Bush.

CBS Face The Nation provides a 30 minute campaign contribution to silky pony.  The FEC fiddles while our constitution burns.

Fox News Sunday offers up the hard to find Mitch McConnel opposite the mind numbing Jack Reed.  Oh joy!  Oh, and Mike Huckabee is along for the ride.

CNN Late Edition continues the MSM theme of a failed intervention by dredging up the ghosts of prime ministers past.  The dickensnian theme continues with tiny Bill Richardons, even tinier Sam Brownback,  soon to be tiny Raymond Odierno and permanently tiny Max Cleland.  What a sad bunch of loser, also rans and never weres.

ABC This Week profers up last years military hero, Jim Webb versus John Cornyn of Texas.  Oh, and the Secretary of the Treasury is along for the ride, in case anyone cares.

I'm way behind because of a weeks worth of travel.  I hope you can forgive my abbreviated posting this week.  I also hope you won't think this is a good thing <g>

This should be cross posted to my blog at Wizards.townhall.com later today. I have finally caught up over their and I hope to keep up to date from now on. In fact I'm going to change the format just a bit when posting this in light of the success of the technique I used to get caught up. This analysis will still be first but then I'm going to try putting all of the show by show posts into one big Post number 1. If I end up falling back to separate posts you'll know that I found an upper limit to the length of FR posts.

This thread 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 valuable 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!

Mark Kilmer has posted his excellent preview of the Sunday shows over at Redstate.COM.

Politico.COM has their Sunday Talk Show Tip Sheet

[Phsstpok]

Show by Show Preview

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.

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Saturday Shows For

The Beltway Boys (Mort Kondrake, Fred Barnes)

• Meme:
  • We're doomed, I tell you!  Doomed!
• Topics:
  • President Bush defends current situation in Iraq
  • Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is 'up' after calming Wall Street jitters
• 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:
  • no listing
• Topics:
  • no listing
• Guests
  • no listing
• CNBC's Tim Russert Show airs Saturday at 7pm, 10pm & 1am ET

Fox News Watch (Eric Burns)

• Meme:
  • Whats this about the real world?  How inconvenient!
• Topics:
  • Immigration Outrage: 3 brutal murders in Newark spark a media debate about criminal illegal aliens. What took so long?
  • Suspicious in Seattle: Why won't a major newspaper publish photos of terror suspects?
• 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:
  • Ummm, would it be too much to actually talk about real issues and real people?  I knew you would understand that!
• Topics:
  • Opinion Journal web page: No Way, Jose
    • Should terrorists such as Jose Padilla be tried in civilian courts?
    • The new presidential campaigners: the candidates' spouses.
  • Fox News Channel web page
    • Michelle Obama Hits at Hill? A look at the battle for the women's vote, and the role spouses are playing in the 2008 presidential race
    • End of Jose Padilla Trial: Why we need to keep suspected terrorists out of the American justice
• 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]

Ping

The Weekend Preview is up

Way behind schedule and way less analysis than usual. I trust you won’t like this format too much :^>

[Phsstpok]

NBC Meet The Press (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • The narrative is in danger!  The sheeple are beginning to see through our BS!  We must rally and restore the narrative!
  • Quick, find a senile RINO to trot out and criticize Bush!  We're losing traction!
  • It's time to recycle the war critics from three years ago.  We're running out of ammnition!
  • Must pump up the silky pony, it's his last chance.  Get his friend Lance to play up the cancer victim angle and push Elizabeth's cancer.
• Topics:
  • The new National Intelligence Estimate paints a grim picture of the war in Iraq
  • The senior Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee has blunt advice for President Bush:
    • Bring some of the troops home by Christmas.
  • Lance Armstrong on the fight against cancer & his 2008 Livestrong Presidential Forums
  • Roundtable:
    • reality check on the situation in Iraq
• Guests
  • Lance Armstrong
    • Chairman & Founder, Lance Armstrong Foundation | Bio
    • Seven-Time Tour de France Champion
    • Lance Armstrong on why many candidates are snubbing his cancer forums (USA Today - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Majority of candidates to skip cancer forums (DesMoinesRegister.com - Aug 25, 2007)
    • Unique fundraiser aimed at testicular cancer awareness (Canada.com, Canada - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Armstrong becoming political force (SI.com - Aug 16, 2007)
    • As John Edwards runs for White House, wife races vs cancer (INQ7.net, Philippines - Jul 30, 2007)
  • Senator John Warner Republican - Virginia
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Armed Services Committee
    • Administration battles Warner on troop drawdown (Chicago Tribune - Aug 25, 2007)
    • Warner undeterred by Republican heat (Seattle Times - Aug 25, 2007)
    • Huckabee criticizes Warner's troop plan (Indianapolis Star - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Kristol Astounds Lauer by Rejecting Media Touting of Warner, Negative NIE Presumption (NewsBusters - Aug 25, 2007)
    • SENATOR WARNER'S BAD WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS (New York Post - Aug 25, 2007)
    • John Warner's Opinion is Meaningless (AOL News Newsbloggers - Aug 25, 2007)
  • Richard Engel
    • Middle East Correspondent and Beirut Bureau Chief, NBC News
    • Report: Gen. Pace may urge troop cut in Iraq (MSNBC - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Wars within wars (Los Angeles Times - Aug 12, 2007)

  • Michael Gordon

    • Chief Military Correspondent, New York Times

    • Co-author, Cobra II: The Inside Story of the Invasion and Occupation of Iraq

    • 'NYT,' Michael Gordon, Continue Focus on Iranian Weapons in Iraq -- While Others Downplay (Editor & Publisher - Aug 8, 2007)

    • CIA failures revealed (Toledo Blade, OH - Aug 25, 2007)

  • Thomas Ricks

    • Senior Military Correspondent, The Washington Post

    • Author, Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq

    • Ricks: Iraq Has Become A Fiasco (Evening Bulletin, PA - Aug 6, 2007)

    • Iraq withdrawal follies (Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - Jul 27, 2007)

• 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)

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CBS Face The Nation (Bob Schieffer)

• Meme:
  • Must pump up the silky pony, it's his last chance. 
  • Did you know that Elizabeth Edwards is dying of Cancer?  It must be Bush's fault!
  • If John Edwards designates his dying wife as the attack dog of his campaign, does that make her a .... nope, won't go there.
• Topics:
  • Save the Silky Pony's candidacy!
• Guests
  • Former Senator John Edwards, Democrat - North Carolina
    • Democrat presidential candidate | Campaign web site | Bio
    • Edwards denies slam on 'insiders' is directed at Clinton (CNN - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Edwards takes shots at Clinton 'nostalgia' (Chicago Tribune - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Detroit lawyer charged for 2004 Edwards donations (Reuters - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Edwards bashes Romney health care plan (Boston Globe - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Clinton's Democratic Rivals Denounce Terrorism Remark (Washington Post -Aug 24, 2007)
    • Daily John Edwards Fabulous Fact (IMAO - Aug 25, 2007)
  • Elizabeth Edwards
    • Campaign web site | Bio
    • Edwards Pitches Tax On Wealthy To Pay For Health Care (WMUR, NH - Aug 24, 2007)
    • In 2008 Race, Little Ones Go on the Trail With Daddy (New York Times - Aug 25, 2007)
• Face The Nation contact information - ftn@cbsnews.com

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Fox News Sunday (Chris Wallace)

• Meme:
  • The narrative is in danger!  The sheeple are beginning to see through our BS!  We must rally and restore the narrative!
  • This is the question of our generation.  Which side are you on?
• Topics:
  • Iraq:
    • Prospects for Iraq’s Security: another National Intelligence Estimate reveals the road ahead.
    • The report signals little hope for significant progress if our troops remain in the region and assured chaos if we leave.
    • What happens next on Capitol Hill?
  • Mike Huckabee
    • Can the former Arkansas governor gain the momentum needed to break into the top tier?
    • Where does he stand on the issues most important to Republican primary voters?
    • We’ll dig deep into his record in this FOX News Sunday exclusive interview.
  • Fox News Sunday panel
    • The Presidents Iraq speech
  • Fox News essay: Coming up on Fox News Sunday
• Guests
  • Senator Mitch McConnell - Republican - Kentucky
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Minority Leader
    • Groups pursue McConnell on Iraq and other issues (Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - Aug 22, 2007)
    • Advocates Launch Iraq War Ad Campaigns (PBS - Aug 24, 2007)
    • McConnell slams ‘Old Europe’ Democrats (The Hill, DC - Aug 15, 2007)
    • McConnell Delivers Remarks at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (Human Events, DC - Aug 17, 2007)
    • McConnell praises wiretapping law (Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - Aug 14, 2007)
    • McConnell Ridicules FISA Concerns In Speech To Cops (WLWT, OH - Aug 13, 2007)
  • Senator Jack Reed - Democrat - Rhode Island
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Armed Services Committee
    • Key options for Iraq exit strategy (BBC News, UK - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Dell Dailey: Soldier, Counterterrorism Warrior (Washington Post - Aug 23, 2007)
    • Liberian refugees fear return to nation (Chicago Tribune - Aug 6, 2007)
    • How Not to Get Out of Iraq (Commentary, NY - Aug 20, 2007)
  • Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee
    • Republican Presidential Candidate
    • Campaign web site | Bio
    • Huckabee: GOP Has Failed on Problems (Forbes - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Obama Heart Huckabee (AOL News Newsbloggers - Aug 25, 2007)
    • Long-shot pol Huckabee gets respectful look (DetNews.com - Aug 25, 2007)
    • Huckabee Trails Hillary, Obama in US Race (Angus Reid Global Monitor, Canada - Aug 25, 2007)
  • Fox News Sunday panel
    • Bill Kristol, Weekly Standard
      • Bill Kristol, Thug (Atlantic Online - Aug 23, 2007)
      • The Left Shudders (The Weekly Standard - 8/25/07)
    • Gloria Borger, US News and World Report
      • Two-for-One Campaigns (U.S. News & World Report, DC - Aug 5, 2007)
    • Byron York, National Review
      • The Road to Rove’s Departure (National Review - Aug 13, 207)
    • Juan Williams, National Public Radio
      • Juan Williams stands up to Michelle Malkin on YearlyKos issues (News Hounds, CA - Aug 6, 2007)
• Fox News Sunday contact information - FNS@foxnews.com

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CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

• Meme:
  • The narrative is in danger!  The sheeple are beginning to see through our BS!  We must rally and restore the narrative!
  • This is the question of our generation.  Which side are you on?
• Topics:
  • With doubts rising about Iraq's Prime Minister, a former leader thinks he should return to power.
• Guests
  • Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno
    • US recruits Iraq volunteer police (BBC News, UK - Aug 22, 2007)
    • Security hopes despite attacks (Gulf Daily News, Bahrain - Aug 17, 2007)
    • CNN's Phillips to Iraq Commander Odierno: Is Your Job Career Suicide? (NewsBusters - Aug 8, 2007)
  • Ayad Allawi, Fmr. Iraqi Prime Minister
    • Allawi Hires DC Lobby Firm (Outside the Beltway, VA - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Allawi's Billion Dollar Buddy (TPMmuckraker, NY - Aug 24, 2007)
  • Former Georgia Senator Max Cleland, Democrat - Georgia
    • Former Senator Cleland Disputes Bush's Vietnam Analogy on Iraq (Bloomberg - Aug 25, 2007)
    • One last time: Karl Rove on Max Cleland and the 2002 race (Atlanta Journal Constitution - Aug 20, 2007)
  • Ed Henry, CNN White House Correspondent
    • Bush draws parallels of Iraq war at Veterans Convention (AXcess News, KY - Aug 22, 2007)
  • Dana Bash, CNN Congressional Correspondent
    • Surge Derangement Syndrome Grips MSM and Liberals (NewsBusters - Aug 10, 2007)
• CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)

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ABC This Week (George Stephanopoulos)

• Meme:
  • The narrative is in danger!  The sheeple are beginning to see through our BS!  We must rally and restore the narrative!
  • Quick, find a tractible blue dog to trot out and criticize Bush!  We're losing traction!
• Topics:
  • As President Bush compares Iraq to Vietnam and makes another push for support of his surge plan Curious George Steponallofus will tell the Truth and put those nasty fascist Republicans in their place
• Guests
  • Senator Jim Webb, Democrat - Virginia
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • I'm just visiting New Hampshire -- really! (Washington Times, DC - Aug 23, 2007)
    • At labor lovefest, Webb thanks rank-and-file for support (Daily Press, VA - Aug 17, 2007)
    • In defense of Sen. James Webb (Roanoke Times, VA - Aug 16, 2007)
  • Senator John Cornyn, Republican - Texas
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Cornyn speaks out against troop withdrawal (Brownsville Herald, TX - Aug 24, 2007)
    • Democrat Watts vs. Cornyn (Times Record News, TX - Aug 21, 2007)
    • Cornyn criticial of proposed cuts for high-tech military spending (Houston Chronicle - Aug 16, 2007)
• ABC This Week comment web page

[Brandie]

Thank you so much for doing this.

[skinkinthegrass]

thanks, for the briefing....I'll sleep late.

[JohnLongIsland]

no schmuckie?

[rodguy911]

Ditto those thanks, no one can do analysis like you do Phsstpok,your work is the best.

[CDB]

Fantastic work, as usual, Phsstpok. You work so hard, yet the Sunday Talk Show guests get more predictable, and worse. They really ARE running out of ammunition, and are scraping the bottom of the barrel.