Couric, representing NBC:
"We (at NBC) all hope and pray that Saddam escaped harm, and hopefully fled to Syria."
Posted on 12/01/2003 4:45:40 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
In a just-completed interview on The Today Show, Hillary Clinton, back from her trip to Iraq and Afghanistan, hewed to a very clear strategy: praise the troops while bashing President Bush.
Clinton was aided and abetted by her chief media sycophant, Katie Couric. Try to imagine what an appropriate opening question would have been. Perhaps the neutral "how would you describe the situation in Iraq?" Or if someone wanted to be friendly to the Bush administration, "is there good news in Iraq that is going unreported?"
Instead, Couric helpfully put the worst spin on things, asking "How bad is it in Iraq?"
By the way, it should be mentioned that Hillary was theoretically joined in the interview by Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed, who had also accompanied her abroad. But the most unprepossessing Reed had clearly been carefully chosen for the trip as someone who would not possibly upstage Hillary, and went largely ignored in the interview.
Sticking to her "up with the troops, down with Bush" strategy, Hillary opened by enthusing that "the military is doing a terrific job."
But then, Hillary solemnly opined that we "don't have enough of the right mix of troops" in Iraq. Obviously those years of carefully choosing the right troops to serve hors d'oeuvres at White House receptions has made her quite the expert. "It's clear we need more MPs, intelligence and civil affairs troops."
"What we're doing now is not an effective strategy. We need to get the UN involved."
Then it was back to smarmy troop-praising: "I can't say enough positively about what our military is doing on the ground."
Reed was then permitted a brief word edgewise, Couric inquiring about "how US soldiers are holding up, since November was the bloodiest month since "so-called" major operations were declared over in May?"
Reed stated that morale is good, particularly since soldiers know when they're going home. But the next wave of troops won't have replacements lined up, and that will be a problem.
Hillary's plan for Iraq? "Short term, we have to move an quickly as possible to internationalize with a new UN mandate. We need 'the legitimacy of the UN' to move forward."
Couric: "Will the Bush administration be receptive?"
Clinton: "They have to be." And gosh knows you don't want to disobey Nurse Cratched!
Regarding W's surprise visit to Iraq, Couric observed that it "has been getting mixed views. Some have praised it as a huge morale boost. Others called it a big photo op." Of course Couric never asked Clinton if her own trip was a photo op.
Clinton: "I think (the President's trip) was both. I applaud the President. It sends a message of support. But on other hand it isn't a substitute for a plan to increase security or to eventually create more independence for Iraqis."
Next it was time to bash the exit strategy. Again, Couric could have asked a neutral question, asking Hillary to assess our exit strategy. Instead, she served a softball with a negative slant.
Couric: "Is our exit strategy being crafted to get us out quickly at the risk of not creating a true democracy?"
Hillary, in one of her biggest shots at the President, flatly stated: "our exit strategy is being crafted by political considerations rather than by what is good for Iraq."
By the way, not only did Hillary did 90% of the talking, even when the hapless Reed got in a few words Clinton did her famous head nod, visually distracting attention from her sad sack Sancho Panza.
Hillary also insisted on talking about Afghanistan. Her take: Karzai administration doing a good job trying to bring country together, but we need to improve security, secure borders and get NATO more involved.
And not to be too unkind to the junior Senator from NY. Well, OK, to be very unkind but frank, she seemed to be sporting a Nixonesque 5 o'clock shadow in the chin area. Might just have been the lighting, but not a good look. Oh, and as far as I could see, Hillary seemed to be wearing the black version of Ol' Crusty.
Ah, it's moving forward now, can't you tell Mz. Clinton?
Couric, representing NBC:
"We (at NBC) all hope and pray that Saddam escaped harm, and hopefully fled to Syria."
Senator Reed = Hillary's Stepnfetchit
You were correct basically stating that this was Katie's most puff ball interview yet. It seems that Katie and Hillary planned the whole interview last night.
As for Reed was Hillary's arm behind him and pulling a lever to make his mouth move.
Scientific studies have revealed that, surprisingly, styrofoam does a better job than other materials of resisting Hillary's caustic bile.
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