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.
Matt: Good morning governer, mind if kiss your backside?
Gov. Davis: no, please continue to do so.
Matt: Gosh Governor, I'm sorry the poor Republicans are picking on you.
Gov. Davis: Yeah Matt, it's not like I'm an incompetent hack or anything. I mean the budget/energy/immigration crisies can't possibly be my fault. I'm a compasionate, caring Demoncrat.
Matt: I hear the Clintons are coming to stump for you.
Gov Davis: That's true, and I'm sure the voters are excited to hear Bill talk about how trustworthy and reliable I am and Hitlery will be discussing my fantastic leadership abilities.
Matt: {smooch * smooch} Thank you Governor. Good luck in your crusade against the evil, right-wing hordes. And now a message from our sponsor, the Sierra Club, makers of environmentally friendly bicycles that only turn left.
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."
The bad news is – Bill and Hillary were right.
Best LOL that I've had in a while.
I know you get ribbed for watching it, but I'm in your boat. I need to know what the enemy is doing. I need to understand how he thinks. And the Today Show is actually one hell of an alarm clock. I'm usually pretty groggy around 7 am, and one interview like that Lauer Lick-Fest with Davis gets me hopping out of bed to rattle off colorful phrases at the TV. My husband thinks I'm crazy.
I've always had some weird fantasy that Matt wasn't a lib like Katie--I read an article about him once that said he went through some pretty hard times and at one point he lived in a studio with his golden retriever. I liked that. Anyway, the french-kisssy with Davis and his WIFE (what the hell?) has definitely shown me the light!
It's his self-appointed duty here at Fort Free Republic. Somebody's got to peel the liberal potatoes from the Toady Show. ;-)
OK my money says that tomorrow's lead-off will be Katie gushing over this "Gore again" thing. If they get some quotes from the Gore camp with any meat, I bet they'll run with it. Care to take a wager?
ONE..The headline should say "Former Richard Bey Show Co-host Matt Lauer..."
TWO...You failed to point out that the only thing keeping Lauer from kneeling down and removing Davis' eyeballs through his Urethra was the prescence of the Latters wife.
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