[Phsstpok]

(Katie) may not actually have been sent (to Iraq) for ratings (I don't think she will get any). She may have been sent there specifically to advance a message.

Spot on, IMO, Bahbah. 

I'm betting she's searching for a Walter Cronkite "Tet Offensive" type moment so that she can declare the war officially lost.  Although the press is refusing to report it many in the intelligence community and military are warning of a spike in IEDs and terrorist attacks just before or in the immediate aftermath of Petraeus' testimony in just over a week.

I wonder if her timing was inspired by some "anonymous communication" from someone with direct knowledge of Al Qaeda's plans?  Maybe a communication which might be subject to the dreaded "domestic surveillance" program?

Seriously, what would be the impact if our intelligence services actually intercepted a damning communication between Al Qaeda and a prominent journalist, politician or celebrity?  I'd love to see Katie Couric, Leaky Leahy or even George Soros being "frog marched" off to Levinworth.  Prosecution would probably be made impossible by our current politically poisoned atmosphere, but releasing such a taped conversation or intercepted message could have a huge impact.
 

[Chuck54]

There is video available for Katie/Scheiffer on FTN.

Linked at post #309.

[Bahbah]

what would be the impact if our intelligence services actually intercepted a damning communication between Al Qaeda and a prominent journalist, politician or celebrity?

They are afraid of getting caught.

[Bernard]

I have a darker tin-foil conspiracy thought. Maybe the suits at CBS are hoping that Katie doesn’t make it back. That would make for a ratings boost and solve a payroll problem at the same time.

[johnny7]

She may have been was sent there specifically to advance a message.

Her first, cBS blog piece proved that. Most of it was worthless fluff... but where it referenced the situation on the ground... it was totally negative.

[Sal]

(Katie) may not actually have been sent (to Iraq) for ratings (I don't think she will get any). She may have been sent there specifically to advance a message.

I agree but I was also struck by a very nasty possibility: what if they're hoping something could happen there that would... ummmm... get them out of their expensive and really stupid contract. Probably she'll never go anywhere actually dangerous though--just make up lies from a place almost as safe as home.

I'm betting she's searching for a Walter Cronkite "Tet Offensive" type moment so that she can declare the war officially lost.

...

I wonder if her timing was inspired by some "anonymous communication" from someone with direct knowledge of Al Qaeda's plans? Maybe a communication which might be subject to the dreaded "domestic surveillance" program?

Oh please, please, please let the Enemy Within be caught and exposed. Please, please, please.