Couric Grills Teddy Kennedy (Not-a-Typo-Liberal-Media-Wind-Chill Alert!)

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Could the cold weather have put the chill on some of Katie Couric's liberal ardor? You'd almost have to think so, judging from her even-handed, and at times even rough, questioning of Ted Kennedy in the wake of his very tough speech on Iraq.

Couric began with a quote from presidential press secretary Scott McClellan to the effect that Pres. Bush exhausted all diplomatic means before going to war and that the world is a safer place without Saddam in power.

Kennedy admitted that "clearly the Iraqi people are safer, and that is a testament to the skill of our armed forces."

But Kennedy alleged, without citing any facts in support, that the war in Iraq has distracted our attention from the war on terror.

Kennedy claimed that W had a mission in mind when he became president - to launch a war against Iraq. For those purposes the administration misled the people and misinterpreted intelligence. If we had known there were no WMD's or Al Qaida links we would have never gone to war.

Once again, Couric responded with a probing question: "The notion that regime change should occur in Iraq was not invented by the Bush administration. During the Clinton administration there was near-unanimous Senate support for a resolution calling for regime change in Iraq. Shouldn't the Bush administration be given credit for accomplishing what the Clinton administration could not?"

Kennedy: "There are dictators all over the world. Going to war to remove dicatators shouldn't be US policy. This administration misled the American people."

Next, Katie cited House majority leader Tom Delay who asserted that Kennedy had insulted W's patriotism. Kennedy: "He hasn't read the speech, and his statement is 'garbage.'" [Apparently consumption of sufficient quantities of aged bourbon imbues one with a supernatural ability to know what other people have read, unless - horror of horrors! - Kennedy has enlisted AG Ashcroft and the Patriot Act to spy on Delay's reading material!]

Now, Katie wasn't going to be an unalloyed defender of President Bush, and thus she did float the notion that "some critics have asserted the war in Iraq is payback for the first Bush administration's failure to remove Saddam during Desert Storm and for Saddam's attempt to assasinate Bush Sr."

Kennedy was only too happy to agree that, yes, politics and revenge were factors.

Katie then switched to current politics, and offered a surprisingly upbeat view of W's re-election chances. She stated that "some people believe W is unbeatable. The economy has improved, people are reluctant to change leaders in time of war, and he has a war chest that dwarfs opponents. Do you think he's beatable?"

Of course Kennedy thought W was most definitely beatable because of a host of domestic concerns, jobs, health care, blah, blah, blah.

Finally, Katie invited Kennedy's reaction to W's ambitious new goals for NASA, including a permanent station on the moon and manned exploration of Mars. She pointed out that JFK had made a similar call for manned exploration of the moon.

Essentially she had cornered Kennedy. On the one hand of course he wanted to say that the priority should be more spending on domestic social programs, but then again there was his brother's precedent to deal with.

He lamely attempted to suggest that whereas JFK had called for manned exploration of the moon, that was a second priority after domestic issues had been dealt with, and the same should hold for Pres. Bush.

I hadn't realized that poverty, racism, health care, etc. had been solved prior to JFK's announcement, but I'm glad to hear it!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

This being my first Today Show ping since my return from vacation, I had been hoping to come out guns ablazin' with a report on outrageous liberal bias on the part of the "affable Eva Braun," as Ann Coulter has labelled Katie. But I must say that she was even-handed and even somewhat tough in her questioning of Kennedy.

I take comfort in believing that this cannot possibly last - at the risk otherwise of my joining the ranks of the unemployed that Kennedy so loves to bemoan!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Back-from-vacation Today Show ping.

[leadpenny]

But Kennedy alleged, without citing any facts in support, that the war in Iraq has distracted our attention from the war on terror

Facts? Fat Teddy don't need no steeeenking facts!

[tje]

Thanks for posting this. This is surprising. CNN has article on Ted also, and from the blurb on their home page, seems to take the same tack...

[Byron_the_Aussie]

Could lil' Miss Perky be putting out feelers for a contract with Fox?

[Lazamataz]

So my only question is....

......How did Teddy fall out of favor with the rest of the whacko left?

[Jhensy]

Has someone finally spoken to Katie? Good Morning America has recently been topping them in the ratings, unheard of in recent years.

I would think someone said to her, "Keep your beliefs, but DON'T BE SO FREAKIN' OBVIOUS. Why on earth should we absolutely alienate half the population into not watching us? This is a business here!!!"

Especially in this election year.

[Lazamataz]

Could lil' Miss Perky be putting out feelers for a contract with Fox?

I will personally travel to the HQ of Fox and talk with Messr. Ailes if this is even considered.

[Diogenesis]

BACKGROUND: GOLDEN OLDIE FROM THE INVASION OF BAGHDAD

Couric, representing NBC (and French interests):
"We (at NBC) all hope and pray that Saddam escaped harm, and hopefully fled to Syria."

[MEG33]

OK.governs...be honest,are you truly a Katie plant?LOL!I have watched Katie at least 3 times since you started this "service" to the non watchers..and now I'm going to peek again!Horrors!(I can know what I'm in for because of your excellent reviews)I'm on CST and get it an hour later.

[thesummerwind]

Thanks for the very efficient and informative summation of the interview. I don't know if Katie is married again, but all she would need is a good conservative guy with a brain in his head to get her mind right. Seems almost as if she's sleeping with the enemy (so to speak). ;)

Let's follow up on her interview style the next few weeks. But, this seems a real step in the right direction!

[mo]

Laz-he's on the wrong side of Her Thighness Hillary!

[smiley]

Just a guess, but perhaps when Ted "Splash" Kennedy was the recipient of the Bush education bill and also the recipient of the "Medal of Freedom(?)" award endowed on him from the Bush administration....just a guess, mind you. If this was a political ploy on behalf of the administration....it was a brilliant one, indeed....

[Catspaw]

I haven't watched the Today show in a heckuva long time--for the obvious reasons-but in this case I'm going to make an exception.

[jocon307]

I rarely watch these shows, but I did notice W gave his recent interview to the woman from the other show. Diane Sawyer? If I'm way off, forgive me. And I wondered if some of these other news folks, realizing that W will probably be around another 4 years, and the Repub majorities for even longer have caught on to the fact that they'll lose "access" if they don't straighten up and fly right.

[Lazamataz]

Laz-he's on the wrong side of Her Thighness Hillary!

'Splain.

This could be it, governsleastgovernsbest. Never forget that Al-Qaetie Couric was devastated when Hussein was captured. You think she's going to turn around in a few short months?

[IncPen]

......How did Teddy fall out of favor with the rest of the whacko left?

Perhaps the 'true' believers suspect that the jig is up.

They don't call them 'useful idiots' for nothing...

[YaYa123]

Man oh man have we missed you or what? Katie's interview of Paul O'Neill especially. She got so mad at O'Neill for backtracking, that while sitting, she leaned forward, put her hand on her hip, and tapped her foot. The perfect petulant pose!! So upset, she then went after O'Neill himself. It was a joy to watch!

As to her rougher than you expected questioning of Kennedy? I bet there wasn't one question he didn't expect.

[Byron_the_Aussie]

...I will personally travel to the HQ of Fox and talk with Messr. Ailes if this is even considered...

Don't move too fast, Laz.

Hopefully, Ailes will have her reporting from the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, cover: Taliban love toy.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Yup, MEG, you've outed me. I'm that guy out on Rockefeller Plaza in front of the studio every morning holding up the "Katie Will You Marry Me?" sign!

But seriously, please do check out the interview, and let me know what you think.

[thesummerwind]

I will personally travel to the HQ of Fox and talk with Messr. Ailes if this is even considered.

Don't you like cheerleaders, Laz. Maybe she's had a conversion... ;)

[PGalt]

Glad to know a vacation can change the world. My week starts Saturday in the Caribbean. When I get back I expect that Katie will be off television and her crime syndicate buddies will be imprisoned or extinct.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Please let me know what you think. Maybe the combination of the Carribean sun followed by the arctic temps to which I've returned have caused me to hallucinate!

[thesummerwind]

Let us know (after you watch), but I'll bet he/she is telling the truth. It could be that Perky is growing up, or has someone in her life who is getting her "hip".

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks YY. I really was out of the loop while on vacation, and missed my regular contact with my fellow FReepers. Good to be back, but as mentioned I was actually disappointed not to be able to return with righteous indignation in response to some oustandingly outrageous example of liberal bias on Katie's part.

[thesummerwind]

W gave his recent interview to the woman from the other show. Diane Sawyer?

Sawyer was a low-life loser during that interview. She should have been ashamed of herself.

[nuconvert]

"I would think someone said to her, "Keep your beliefs, but DON'T BE SO FREAKIN' OBVIOUS. Why on earth should we absolutely alienate half the population into not watching us? This is a business here!!!"

Yup

[Ditter]

You deserve the FR Medal of Honor for bravery. To get up every morning & watch the Perky One & report back to us takes real courage. Thank you.
Your Freeper friend,
Ditter

[Catspaw]

Caribbean sun? Sigh--I'm sooo jealous.

But the interview's starting now. Teddy just cleared his throat....twice. Perky is letting him talk on the first question. And now she's moving in for the kill with the Clinton question.

This is GOOD.

[saveliberty]

Don't be silly. She had an off day and wasn't feeling well.

Seriously, she will keep this in her pocket to pretend that she's not part of the liberal news establishment that cannot objectively report the news. She can't report the news objectively, but she won't go to rehab.

[Terpfen]

We need Fox and Friends updates. Who cares about Katie Couric? Give me Steve Doocy any day.

[capydick]

Welcome back and thanks again for your service in providing these updates for us. One possible explanation for her even handedness and good mood could be that she stayed in the city lastnight because of the storm and, got picked up at the hotel bar.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks, Ditter. It really is my pleasure, and this morning's show put minimal strain on my gastro-intestinal tract!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

We need Fox and Friends updates. Who cares about Katie Couric?

FNC is also my main TV source for news, but I believe it's worthwhile to keep track of what the liberal media are up to.

[Catspaw]

Wow. Two questions in and she's got Teddy stuttering. But she's letting him filibuster. And he keeps waving his hand, thumb flying high.

Now she's asking him about Tom DeLay: "He hasn't read the speech. That's garbage."

The intelligence was "cooked." And the connection between Saddam & al Qaeda was done to "frighten the American people." Katie tried a number of times to cut him off and ask questions.

Now off to the proposed new space program & comparisons between President Kennedy (good) and President Bush (bad). And the Iowa caucuses: and Bush is getting contributions from the forces that benefit from him.

Geez, Perky did not lob any softballs at him. I'm shocked.

[thesummerwind]

Seriously, she will keep this in her pocket to pretend that she's not part of the liberal news establishment that cannot objectively report the news.

It's possible Katie is changing. Afterall, I turned my wife from a screaming liberal into a Conservative Republican. Oh yeh, it took 29 long years, but ...... ;)

[Lee'sGhost]

Everytime I see that picture I think, "Man, if we had met when we were both that age she would be a conservative AND satisfied."

[JimRed]

Maybe she's become aware if the scorn directed her way from most everyone to the right of Teddy "the swimmer", and is trying very, very hard to stop the laughter.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think you're on to something. This guy was seen leaving her suite at the Plaza at 2:30 AM this morning.

[thesummerwind]

One possible explanation for her even handedness and good mood could be that she stayed in the city lastnight because of the storm and, got picked up at the hotel bar.

And the guy who picked her up was Dennis Miller or Joe Scarborough! ;)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Please let me know by post or private message if you'd like on or off the Today Show ping list.

[thesummerwind]

Yeh, nice hard body! A little rich country club type. Rah, rah, rah, zis boom bah!

[MEG33]

Kennedy is a liar.He uses the term imminent threat, again..and Bush never did and "rushed us to war" is not true."People are frightened and scared about their jobs and future and the cost of health care.Of course Bush can be beaten."

My opinion is that Kennedy is so outrageous in his description of Bush that Katie looks good!She did ask him some good questions.Kennedy lied about all the things Kennedy accomplished before his moonshot proposal,too.He is a hateful old glutton.

[MissAmericanPie]

Well, this is certainly new and different. But who trusts it?

[norwaypinesavage]

Never fear, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn once and a while..(Not that I would ever compare Katie to a blind squirrel).

[Maigrey]

Admit it. You spiked Al'querty's favorite morning beverage, and made her mellow in her vile rhetoric.

You evil VRWC member, you! (lolol)

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think we can confidently predict that Katie's excursion into evenhandedness will be fleeting. And when she does return to her biased liberal media roots, I'll be here to bring it to the attention of my fellow FReepers!

[Terpfen]

FNC is also my main TV source for news, but I believe it's worthwhile to keep track of what the liberal media are up to.

I'm not arguing that; I just find Steve Doocy to be a better antidote for a bad mood than Katie Couric's perking-up of liberals' belief in their chances of being elected.

[OldFriend]

The war is between Kennedy and Clinton.......evidently Katie took Clinton's side in this interview.

[Maigrey]

Lord heaven's be! NOOOOOO! Keep her right where she is, so all of America can hear her, and judge her for who she is.