Posted on 07/30/2003 4:43:22 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
When a Democratic politician needs to "get healthy," Katie Couric is normally brought in to groove some pitches down the middle of the plate for him to hit out of the park.
In his just-completed interview with embattled California Gov. Gray Davis, the Today Show's Matt Lauer demonstrated that he's no slouch when it comes to serving them up on a platter for liberals looking to raise their batting average.
Start with the format of the interview. Matt permitted Davis's wife to sit in. That's a tried-and-true technique to cast an unpopular pol in a softer and more sympathetic light. Lauer even lobbed a few softballs her way. Surprise! She does not want to see her husband drop our of the recall race.
When it came to Davis himself, Lauer tread ever-so-lightly. To preserve some semblance of objectivity, Lauer led by asking if Davis at least took *some* responsibility for California's budget crisis.
But almost before an answer could leave Davis's lips, Matt was sympathizing that, after all, California was part of the USA, which has been experiencing an economic downturn.
Not one question from Lauer about the disastrous energy contracts that Davis saddled the state with, costing it billions. No questions about Davis's dubious, some would say flatly unethical and illegal, fundraising efforts among companies with business before the state. No citations of Davis's abysmal poll ratings, showing that even Charles Manson is within the margin of error against him!
Instead, there was a delicate question as to whether - *for the good of the Democratic Party*, not for the good of the state - Davis might consider stepping aside and letting some more popular Dem take his place. Naturally Davis was having none of it.
Instead, Davis was allowed to fret about how he was concerned that the recall election would cost the taxpayers $60 million, and that the effort was an attempt to undo the will of the people.
Lauer went on to suggest that the recently adopted budget was something "Davis could run on," and Davis was only-too-happy to indicate it was, offering up a quote from a Republican legislator suggesting it represented progress.
Lauer saved his piece de resistance (pardon my French) for the end of the interview. He actually offered up the theory (to which Davis was only too happy to subscribe) that the recall effort was part of "a vast right wing conspiracy," seeking to undo an election in a way similar to what Republicans did in Florida in 2000!!
Davis coyly replied: "well, all the people behind this recall effort are conservative, millionaires, and have lost elections."
Wrong, Mr. Davis! Almost 1.5 million of the residents of California, from all walks of life, have joined in this popular movement to rid the state of your incompetent and unethical rule.
That's the second time that argument has been used.......so let's watch for it to be repeated by all the dems.
Anyone taking bets on Alan Colmes bringing up Florida!!! LOL
"Davis being interviewed by Matt Lauer. Gray Davis is trying to blame California's woes on the Bush administration. Well, that's it in a nutshell..."when Bush came into office there were surpluses "as far as the eye could see". Matt asks, "so you think California's woes are a microcosm of what will happen to the rest of the country. And Matt says, "I read on Matt Drudge that the Clintons are coming to help you". hahaha
davis says Republicans are just relitigating the election, they had these recall petitions on the street 30 days after the election. Matt Lauer says, "you'll pardon me, but it sounds like you both (Gray and his wife Sharon), are claiming a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.
"The recall is a misguided effort by very rich Republicans", says Davis.
I'm not kidding folks, Matt Lauer interviewing Gray and Sharon Davis had the look of the famous 60 Minutes interview of Bill and Hillary. Sitting all sweet and cuddly, happy, grinning, on a sofa, claiming everything is rosy, they gonna win, and everyone is just out to get them."
21 posted on 07/30/2003 4:23 AM PDT by YaYa123"
You listed the important, tough questions Lauer did not, but should have asked, and he gave Davis plenty of time to spin out his pre-packaged answers, which were echoed by his wife. It wasn't candid at all, there no surprises for Davis, but it was funny when Lauer practically LOL at how victimized Davis & wife portrayed themselves by the evil Republicans.
I think Lauer's questions about the Clintons coming in to rescue Davis were important. If Davis squeaks outta this mess, you better believe Hillary and Bill will claim it was because of them. Davis seemed reluctant to even admit they were coming.
No mention of those who calculate that, without California and its basket-case economy, the US would have had a net increase in jobs in the past year or so?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.