Posted on 10/21/2004 4:48:54 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
If it were a boxing match, they would have thrown in the towel. If it were a Little League game, they would have invoked the mercy rule. Unfortunately for hapless Kerry spokesman Mike McCurry, no such refuge was available, and he had to suffer a relentless, devastating, take-no-prisoners, never-back-down pounding at the hands of Liz Cheney, daughter of the Vice President. Wow! What a star was just [at least for this viewer] born. Where has she been?
Sometimes shows like Today concoct a theme for an interview and try to force their square guests into the round hole they have conceived. The topic today was the notion that both campaigns were exploiting the politics of fear.
But Liz would have none of it. "This isn't about trying to scare people. We are truly at war. This is about who has the strong leadership to win that war. Of course Kerry is forced to make tough statements now, but his words are contradicted by his record."
She continued: "Kerry has been on the wrong side of every major national policy issue over the last 20 years, from cutting $7 billion in intelligence after the WTC was bombed for the first time, to voting against the 1991 Gulf War, to opposing most of the weapons systems used to fight the war on terror."
Before describing McCurry's remarks, a few words about his looks. I don't know if he might be a baseball fan who stayed up to watch the game, or whether he was up all night putting out the fires from Teresa's "my experience is bigger than hers" gaffe, or whether it is simply the wear and tear of a long campaign, but I have never, NEVER, seen a political aide look this palpably tired on national TV.
Not only was his face haggard, but his eyes were so red-rimmed that one had to wonder if he had been on a crying jag. One thing is clear: being inside the Kerry campaign nowadays ain't a bowl of cherries.
In any case, McC claimed that "we took our eyes off the terrorists to divert to go to war in Iraq that is now causing so much pain. We can't go on with more of the same and need to change directions."
But soon it was back to Liz on the attack: "The 9/11 Commission found we're not safe, but we're safer than we were before 9/11. But with his talk of global tests and describing terrorism as a nuisance, one has to question whether Kerry really understands nature of challenge we face."
Katie tried to put Liz on the spot, quoting her father to the effect that the country could be more vulnerable to attack if Kerry were elected. If Couric thought that would put Liz on the defensive, she was badly mistaken. Liz didn't back down for a second: "Weakness invites attack. The policies Kerry/Edwards propose would take us back to 90s when we treated terrorism as a law enforcement and intellignece matter. They have sent signals of wavering."
When McCurry tried some wan retort, Liz cut him off at the knees: "The record doesn't match the rhetoric, Mike, the record doesn't match rhetoric."
Even when a defeated McCurry, on his knees, begging for mercy, tried to AGREE with Liz, she would give no quarter. By the end, McCurry was pitiably saying that when it comes to the need to pay attention to terror threats, "we agree about that."
"No, we disagree," retorted Liz!
This was the most lopsided, devastating rhetorical victory I have ever seen on Today. It made last night's sad [for this Yankees fan] shellacking look like a nail-biting cliffhanger.
Bravo, Liz, you are my new hero! Let's see more of her along the trail!
Julianne Malveaux is a raving lunatic.
She usually only appears on shows where her bizzare, nonsensical views are not challenged. So, it is no surprise that she exploded when someone disagreed with her.
Yes I posted earlier and I see someone else just posted it as well.
We need to get a report from somebody who was actually watching. I know that it was two black women, and that one was Julianne Malveaux. I was in the next room, the TV was tuned to F&F, and it literally sounded like a catfight broke out.
It must have been painful and hilarious to watch all at the same time. It started out ok, but as it went on it got progressively more shrill. By the end, you really couldn't understand either one of them, they were just shrieking at each other.
Hmm...I bet John Kerry regrets ever bringing up the fact that the Cheneys have had offspring. Maybe Liz has been around before the debates for the campaign but the Mary Cheney remark has clearly catapulted Liz into the spotlight. Pre debate I was really only aware of Mary.
Same here. I'm amazed the W campaign hasn't used her more prominently before. She is THE BOMB!!!
pingaling
Time to drag out the "Clinton people are stiffing Kerry and setting him up for the fall" theory again.
Mr. Safire, Mr. William Safire -- telephone for Mr. Safire, please!
Wow...She is very pretty! Just like Ann...looks and brains!
A combo that,sadly,no liberal woman can ever achieve!
Cheney women are da' bomb.
Well, you've finally found something Teddy Kennedy and I agree on.
8 Frosty Pints, and a Warm young wench, makes a splendid breakfast.
That would be a great screen name - BooKoodles.
Having an asset like Liz and her appearing now in the most crucial phase of the campaign is great.
Lynne Cheney is no slouch either. In fact, she is Dr. Cheney.
I remember that. I also remember seeing her ten years ago or so on To the Contrary on PBS on Sundays -- she was the woman with enormous arms, too many teeth, extremely short hair, and no visible use for men, who sat around making snide comments about conservatives and daddies all the time.
Does that match your observation?
Same woman, though I've rarely watched that show, and generally try to avoid her. Just too much hate and too little substance.
If I liked the taste of beer, I'd be drinking Coors exclusively.
Yes, and I understand she buys Eveready "D" batteries by the case load.
Thanks for the insider's insight on McC. I can't remember the issue, but I remember reading a report earlier this week that on some matter the Kerry hard-liners wanted to pound W on something, and McM urged restraint. Sounds like he might be the adult on the bus. But why did he get on?
That would be a great screen name - BooKoodles.
Actually, it might be a good coinage for "oodles" + "beaucoup".
Paging Bill Safire again, ....Bill Safire, please!
That is her sister that works or did work for Coors.
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