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!
Everyone needs a hobby! :)
So you are saying we have found the perfect opponent to put in the ring against Hillary's run in 2008?
My compliments to you on your choices in life.....this country needs more moms like you!
May God Bless..................
Oh, yes something could. And that would be Zell's speech on the floor of the Senate about a month ago. Charts and everything. I copied the transcript from the Congressional Record. Not only did Zell rip Kerry a new one, he took on the Washington Post and CBS. It's great.
I can't stand that women .. all she every does is yell over other guests and never lets them say a word
She was on MSNBC alot during the 2000 election and got on my every last nerve
Thanks for the hightlights. Liz has always been a star and she is brilliant. I believe Dick Cheney is who is today because of her. I have always said she could easily be a VP and she is tough as nails. She reminds me a lot like Margaret Thatcher.
I had no idea she worked for the state dept. Excellent!
Man. Sorry I missed that one.
How about Rice/Cheney ticket? Now those women could do the job!
It was pretty obvious that they weren't prepared to try to rebut anything she said.
Thanks for the battle report from the front, governsleastgovernsbest.
I thought he had on mascara, too.
Not surprising - Malveaux's debate skills consist primarily of shouting down her opponent til the discussion is ground to a halt and the anchor goes to commercial. She's a real piece of work, that one. And apparently cares nothing for how hateful she comes across.
I just caught a short re-run on MSNBC. Liz had her beautiful smile as she shoved the knife into Mike when she said "But the rhetoric doesn't match the record, Mike."
Unfortunately, they didn't show his face after she said it.
By the way, our gals are really more beautiful and more intelligent than theirs. By far. Must be something sour in the RAT genes.
The clowns at Today aren't used to anything but schmooze. Today was a real turnabout for them, and about time.
Lynne/Liz in '08!
Liz Cheney rocks. I wish the campaign would use her more. She is articulate but yet doesn't let the lefties get away with anything.
It was great to see.
Thanks for your report, as always.
Not surprising - Malveaux's debate skills consist primarily of shouting down her opponent til the discussion is ground to a halt and the anchor goes to commercial.
Sort of a female Jesse Jackson, then. I think I get the picture.
Cannot believe I woke this morn' in Alaska and can't wait to see the TODAY Show... wonder if my TV stills gets it.. Oh! well, never say never.... as they say..
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