It appears that one of the low level producers at the "Today Show," Tammy Filler, is a graduate of....yep... Ithaca College.
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.
It appears that one of the low level producers at the "Today Show," Tammy Filler, is a graduate of....yep... Ithaca College.
Otherwise the play is DEMs and RINOs who spin and lie, nondescriptatrons who say nothing with a lot or words, and GOP Regulars who want to be able to speak to the unwashed less words than the Sphinx let out over the last millenium.
The market has to desire it. Only the rarest can speak straight and get anywhere close to party circles of either party.
City of Evil bump
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