EDWARDS: 'MEET THE PRESS' CAN WAIT

NewsObserver.Com ^ | June 26, 2003 | JOHN WAGNER

[PJ-Comix]

Ever since U.S. Sen. John Edwards' May 2002 appearance on "Meet the Press," there has been no shortage of speculation in Washington as to when he might return. The North Carolina Democrat's performance, which included some vague responses, was panned by pundits, and Edwards even poked fun at the experience when he addressed the annual Gridiron dinner earlier this year. The question has been renewed in the wake of last weekend's appearance by former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, a rival for the 2004 Democratic presidential nomination. In the eyes of most viewers, Dean got roughed up pretty badly by host Tim Russert. Edwards, in any case, is not likely to reappear anytime soon.

Betsy Fischer, the show's executive producer, said NBC has been trying for months to get Edwards back on.

"He has an open invitation, but we have not been able to nail anything down," she said, adding that Russert has even made personal pleas to get Edwards on again. "They know of our interest."

Edwards spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri said that doing the Sunday morning show simply isn't a priority at this point in the campaign.

"Some political observers in Washington may pay attention to who does what show," Palmieri said Wednesday. "But voters don't care."

[PJ-Comix]

So who do you think flopped worse on Meet The Press? John Edwards or Howard Dean?

[AntiGuv]

I'd have to say Dean, but then I'm far more hostile to Dean than I am to Edwards, so my opinion may be prebiased..

[Thebaddog]

It was a race to the bottom for those two, but I call it a tie.

[ApesForEvolution]

I record every Meet the Press. I'll have to review both appearances again, but it's a toss up until I do.

[PJ-Comix]

Is there a video link of their appearances on Meet The Press so we can compare their flops?

[Servant of the Nine]

Russert will happily crucify almost anyone but Hitlery or a Kennedy.

So9

[John Jorsett]

I record every Meet the Press.

And I thought having my Tivo preserve the latest 3 episodes of O'Reilly made me a little too into the political thing ...

[Egregious Philbin]

Did Bush ever go on "Meet the Press"? I can't imagine Edwards or Dean being any worse on unscripted shows than a pre-Presidency George W. Bush.

[ApesForEvolution]

Get with the program sloth...lol

[w_over_w]

So who do you think flopped worse on Meet The Press? John Edwards or Howard Dean?

It depends as both were pathetic guests . . . Russert turned Edward's face into a "the lights are on but nobody's home" expression. But with Dean it was more, "yes you did", "no I didn't", "yes you did", "no I didn't" . . .

Toon in next time for "Meet the Como Aid"!

[ApesForEvolution]

I remember Cheney on at least one occasion, but I don't recall Bush. Go figure. All my tapes are in my library back 'home'. Maybe someone else knows? It'll be awhile before I'm back there.

[Egregious Philbin]

I did a search - more than one "Bushism" comes from an April 15, 2000 "Meet the Press," which would have been before the "Meet the Press" debates between Bush and Gore, right?

[eeman]

I do not recall Bush on Meet the Press but I did see him on O'Reilly's showshortly after one of the primaries where he beat McCain and became heir apparent for the GOP nomination. O'Reilly did not give him any soft ball questions and GWB held up well

[thegreatbeast]

Please, I'm begging you all, spare me assertions that Tim Russert is a toughguy! These guys are just such losers.

[The Old Hoosier]

My personal favorite exchange:

Russert: A very serious question. Do you have the temperament to be president?

Dean: Not only do I have the temperament to be president but I have the honesty to be president. When I make a mistake, I’m very pleased to apologize for it. The fact is that a lot of this stuff is about what goes on spinning, and I’m surprised the reporters take the bait all the time. I’ve issued one apology, and it was an apology I ought to have issued. I mischaracterized John Edwards’ position in March at the California convention because I didn’t know what he had said.

Russert: Well, you apologized to Bob Graham.

Dean: No, I didn’t.

Russert: You called the AP and recanted the statement.

Dean: I called the AP and said, “I’m sorry I said that.”

Russert: Well, that’s an apology.

Dean: No, it’s not.

[Ann Archy]

LOL exchange!! The only thing truthful that Dean has said is that Graham is nt a serious candidate!!! Graham is the dumbest Senator...well, right behind Ron Wyden and Barbra Boxer and BRYD.

[mewzilla]

John Edwards