Today Show Uses 9/11 Relatives to Flog Bush Campaign over Use of WTC Images

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

For a second day, The Today Show continued its assault on the Bush campaign for its use of fleeting images of the WTC on 9/11 in its current round of campaign ads.

To be fair and accurate, I must say that Katie Couric's words themselves were not nearly so provocative or accusatory as those of the guests she chose to bring on.

The three guests, three women, were relatives of people who had died in the WTC.

One was a seethingly angry, partisan, Bush-hater. How's this for a formulation: "President Bush has only agreed to come before the 9/11 Commission for one hour. That's 2 seconds for every life that was lost."

The same woman said that she was frustrated with the Bush administration and "fighting to get the President to come before commission given that 3,000 people were murdered on his watch." Then, apparently a devotee of the Howard Dean/Cynthia McKinney school of history, she stated "the Bush administration did nothing to stop it despite all warnings they had and did nothing to mitigate things on the day of the attack."

Katie tipped her hand with this little Freudian slip. She referred to the Bush "ad blitz," then tried to recover, saying "uh, ad campaign, I should call it." She mentioned that some relatives were upset, but then addressed the one pro-Bush guest, saying: "I understand you're fine with it, you don't think it was inappropriate?"

The woman stated: "Prior to 9/11 we reacted to attacks very minimally and I appreciated the leadership of Pres. Bush. He realized it wasn't merely a crime but [part of a war.]

A second guest, who was clearly anti-Bush but not as virulent as the first guest said: "I don't think images of death and destruction on 9/11 should be used for political gain. The issues yes, but not the images."

To Katie's credit, she did ask "would you feel the same way if Kerry used them?" The woman claimed that she would, "asolutely."

Then it was back to the vituperative guest. "They were nice warm fuzzy ads, with nice music, but that's not my reality of 9/11. We need to examine Bush's actions on 9/11. On 9/11, he was in a classroom listening to children reading to him. He has stonewalled the 9/11 commission. The time, money and energy used to produce the ads should be used to cooperate with commission."

Giving Katie her due, she made the following statement:

"It's really hard to discuss the state of the country without mentioning a seminal event in our lives, the biggest news event in our lives - I know it wasn't a news event for you. It's Hard to totally stay away from it, isn't it?"

The Bush-supporting guest opined "I think the ads were done tastefully." News agencies use the ads all the time.

Guest #2 stated that "it's OK to use footage for news piece or historical retrospective. But not for political gain."

Katie concluded by stating that "I'm sure the controversty will continue." Which if Katie has anything to do with it, it certainly will.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If there was anything that dishonored the victims of 9/11 and used them for political gain, it was the anger and vituperativeness of the first guest. Her comments, accusing Pres. Bush of advance knowledge, of "stonewalling" the 9/11 commission, of having only 2 seconds per victim, of having schoolchildren read to him on the day of the attack, were so over the top and so vicious that they revealed themselves for what they really were - part of the Democratic attack machine.

Katie by her tone and words was actually quite reasonable. But query her motivation in presenting this as the show's lead segment and choosing such a blatantly partisan guest to launch such an assault on the President.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[The Wizard]

who cares, no one is watching today any more

[anniegetyourgun]

I'm beginning to wonder how much the Kerry campaign is paying these victim family shills? Perhaps they'll be able to recover some of their campaign contributions.

[snooker]

What's a today show? Some sort of liberal orgy? Never watch it.

Hate isn't an agenda for America.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

who cares, no one is watching today any more

I understand the sentiment, but the fact is that millions of people continue to watch. Although GMA has passed it in certain markets, Today has the biggest national audience of any morning news show. Like it or not, Today remains an important opinion-maker for many Americans. As such, I believe it is worthwhile to keep track of it.

[The G Man]

Isn't the liberal media then using the 9/11 families for political gain then?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

What's a today show? Some sort of liberal orgy? Never watch it.

I certainly respect someone's decision not to watch Today, but the fact remains that millions of Americans do.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Isn't the liberal media then using the 9/11 families for political gain then?

Exactly. Although I think even Katie was a bit taken aback by the sheer rage of the one woman. Even the Kerry campaign gurus who were watching must have been worried that at a certain point her over-the-top accusations were becoming counter-productive.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Why doesn't the Katie interview me? I could tell her how offended I am by John Kerry's traitorous activities since coming home from Nam. I could discuss the fact that I have no idea where Kerry stands on any given issue at any given time since he appears to have no stand.

Though I feel for the families who lost someone on 9/11, the attacks are not their private property. The attacks were aimed at every American. I am sick of people acting like because they lost someone, this is private. Their loss is private but the attacks were not. I will never forget that it was an attack on me, my family, my friends, my nation. I take it personal as should every American.

If George W. Bush wants to use 9/11 in his campaign, that is his right. He was attacked too. His response to the attacks shows the character and courage his predecessor did not have when we were attacked so many times during those 8 dark years.

God Bless America and George W. Bush.

Conspiracy Guy 3/5/4

[Free Trapper]

Never Forget! - President Bush hasn't.Some want to.

Let's Roll! - President Bush has.Some never would.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Well put, IMHO.

[snooker]

Millions of Americans can't read or write. So that's who is watching these loony shows. The ignorant. Always wondered.

[onyx]

The agenda driven media never learn. They bashed Mel and his film and look what that netted Mel. I see the same miscalculation again. Let 'em bitch, bash and bluster about our Commander-In-Chief running ads that feature the worst attack from a foreign source in this nation's history. Oh yeah.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks. It is seldom I can't rant without cussing but I did.

CG

[Peach]

I notice that no one thought the mention that perhaps Kerry's use of Vietnam in his ads will be painful to over 50,000 families who lost someone in that war.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Millions of Americans can't read or write. So that's who is watching these loony shows. The ignorant.

I thought it was Kerry and the other Dems who were the elitists? The people who watch Today are a fair cross-sample of America. I don't see the point in pretending the show or the people who watch it are irrelevant.

[isthisnickcool]

I just saw a woman named Monica Gabrielle on ESPN2. ESPN2! I was flipping through channels and ran across ESPN2. I never watch it. I thought it was about sports.

She is involved with this group.

She didn't like Bush using the the WTC for ads, she wanted to know why he did not co-operate with the WTC commission. She wanted to know what he knew before 9/11. The person interviewing her said that Guliani was supporting the ads. She said that Guliani has not talked to the commission nd wanted know what he knew before 9/11.

She said that Bush was not protecting the country on on "9/11 he was in some school room" instead.

I found all sorts of stuff on her on google. She seems to be a bitter and angry woman. I feel sorry for her loss but Bush did not kill her husband. But she acts that way.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I notice that no one thought the mention that perhaps Kerry's use of Vietnam in his ads will be painful to over 50,000 families who lost someone in that war.

Glad you mentioned that. In yesterday's thread on Katie's first attack on W for use of 9/11 in the ads, I made a point along similar lines:

"Remember that when John Kerry starts running ads highlighting his service in Vietnam, where 58,000 US soliders and millions of civilians died. Will Katie be questioning Kerry's decency and good taste in "exploiting" those images?"

[tsmith130]

Not to mention the fact that each time they bash the ads, they replay them...FOR FREE! ;o)

[YaYa123]

Since when do your political enemies get to dictate whats in your campaign ads?

If that's the case:

Shame on John Kerry for using the American soldiers who died in the Viet Nam War as campaign props.

Shame on Bill Clinton for using the dead Americans in Oklahoma City to win re-election. "Mourner in Chief" was his nickname.

But everyone knows whats really going on here. Democrats want all references to the 9-11 leadership of President Bush declared off-limits in campaign ads.

[backhoe]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1091208/posts
BUSH TRADE CENTER AD SPARKS CONTROVERSY--Judge for yourself
various FR links | 03-05-04 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[moonman]

"To be fair and accurate, I must say that Katie Couric's words themselves were not nearly so provocative or accusatory as those of the guests she chose to bring on."

Thats why she had those people on the show. She didn't need to do what she otherwise would have done.

[wayoverontheright]

To Katie's credit, she did ask "would you feel the same way if Kerry used them?" The woman claimed that she would, "asolutely."

I'm not willing to give her any credit here because she knows the answer to the question, the Democrats won't bring up 9-11 because they know they were on the wrong side of it, the obvious answer just further demonizes Bush.

I believe the bulk of the families of the victims want to make sure the country is reminded from time to time, as half the country (we all know which half) is trying to sweep it under the rug. I bet these whiners were sought out some time ago by the media, they couldn't have been easy to find.

[snooker]

Some people will vote for Kerry regardless what he is or what he does.

Some people will watch the today show.

You can troll a 'botox gigolo' through a swamp, and some dumb gator will bite.

[onyx]

Not to mention the fact that each time they bash the ads, they replay them...FOR FREE! ;o)

Hadn't considered that angle. You are right! :-)

[W04Man]

Bump

http://W-04.com

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm not willing to give her any credit here because she knows the answer to the question [as to whether the guest would criticize use of 9/11 images if it were Kerry doing it].

True. But just raising the question, whatever the answer the guest gave, reminds viewers that many who are criticizing the ads do have a political motivation.

[AZFolks]

I am going to get blasted for this. I am not for showing this much deference to the "911 families." 911 belongs to me also. I cried, I cursed, I worried, I still fly the flag at my home and I don't want to allow them (or a small group of them) decide what is or is not "appropriate." I do believe the response of "outrage," (I wish I had a nickel for everyone who was outraged in the Country), is political itself. Am I the Lone Ranger here?

[moonman]

I agree. Arnold won in CA because of the irrational fear mongering and hatred displayed by the demonrats during the campaign. Fox News interviewed several Black women, whom never in their lives voted for a Republican, said they supported Arnold because of the demonrats dirty tricks.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think you'll find significant agreement among many here. Of course sympathy should be shown to bereaved people. But that doesn't mean that they have the right to dictate policy on the related issues or that they own the images in some way.

[VRWC_minion]

This stuff is great. Bush gets free publicity and a ratings boost. If these ads were not effective they wouldn't be going bonkers but here is the rub.

the vast majority of folks think Bush did a wonderful job and it has been so good they have forgotten 911 to an extent. By bringing this up as an attack on Bush, it will remind folks and it will cause them to remember even as he gets attacked. It will increase his support. The rats have not thought this through.

[onevoter]

Just as interesting - will they be running footage of John Kerry testifying for Congress that those who fought in Vietnam were, "on a daily basis", raping, beheading, etc., etc. Why has the news media never even made mention of just how far his protest against the war went. The Bush ads are nothing compared to the outrage of John Kerry's testimony regarding his "band of brothers."

[Bringbackthedraft]

"I'm beginning to wonder how much the Kerry campaign is paying these victim family shills? Perhaps they'll be able to recover some of their campaign contributions."

Exactly! Funny how that woman (Gore 2000) in the trailer collecting soda cans came to mind.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If these ads were not effective they wouldn't be going bonkers.

Exactly. The Dems are trying to take away the best arrow in W's quiver. I don't think it's going to work, but the Bush campaign people are going to have to think even more carefully about how they handle the related issues and images in future ads.

[Just mythoughts]

"Katie by her tone and words was actually quite reasonable. But query her motivation in presenting this as the show's lead segment and choosing such a blatantly partisan guest to launch such an assault on the President."

I can't watch "Katie". I did see Chrissy's replay of two women regarding the ads for President Bush.

What twists inside of me is the idea, and the action to do the very thing they accuse President Bush of doing. Repeating the "mantra" of the lying liberal "gods", replacing the remembrance of their love ones does give the word perversion a whole new meaning.

[Puppage]

The Today Show continued its assault on the Bush campaign for its use of fleeting images of the WTC on 9/11 in its current round of campaign ads.

Ya know.. 9-11 didn't just happen to the people who lost family on 9-11..it happened to ALL of America. WE WERE ATTACKED!!!!

They do not have a monopoly on 9-11 and, try as they may, I WILL NOT FORGET.

[mhking]

If President Bush has to stop using images of 9/11, then will John Kerry stop using images of a war where thousands of American lives were lost?

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[governsleastgovernsbest]

(Your tag line has legs. Still getting a chuckle from it.)

[angkor]

She said that Bush was not protecting the country on on "9/11 he was in some school room" instead.

This is the standard line of these people: "he was in a school room having milk and cookies." Of course he was not having milk and cookies, but that's how they like to present it.

Since the whole theme they present is completely irrational, you have to conclude that they're Rat Bush-haters, one and all.

[onyx]

Fox News interviewed several Black women, whom never in their lives voted for a Republican, said they supported Arnold because of the demonrats dirty tricks.

We have folks here on FR who will tell you that the black women still haven't voted for a Republican, because they do not consider Governor Arnold a "Republican."

[PGalt]

Well stated. Thanks.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

If President Bush was in a school room having milk and cookies on 9/11, I wonder what Bill Clinton was up to on the days the WTC was first attacked in 1993, when the US embassies in Africa were attacked, when the Khobar towers were attacked and when the USS Cole was attacked?

[moonman]

I hope to hades that Republicans use the film footage showing Kerry before the Senate back in 1972 stating all the atrocities he claimed were commited to innocent Vietnam villagers and villages, without as much as Republicans saying a word. Just let the viewer arrive at their own conclusions.

[VRWC_minion]

but the Bush campaign people are going to have to think even more carefully about how they handle the related issues and images in future ads.

Why ? This is working like clockwork. The press is like Charlie Brown who always trys to kick the football.

They went bonkers on the photos of 911. Result: Approval ratings increase. They went bonkers on the aircraft carrier landing. Result: Approval ratings increase. Do you see a pattern here ? Do you think this reaction isn't the desired reaction ?

[Born Conservative]

"President Bush has only agreed to come before the 9/11 Commission for one hour. That's 2 seconds for every life that was lost."

What about all of the time he has spent in the War on Terror, which is a direct result of 9/11?

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks. I will probably post that every time the subject comes up. It says what I feel and that will save typing time. I can't type worth a poop.

CG

[mystery-ak]

These two women are the same two that was on Chrissy's show las night. Chrissy asked the one lady whose husband was killed at the WTC who she voted for in 2000, she couldn't remember..LOL

Also, all these relatives are using the new catch phrase *it happened on his watch*(Bush)...that is the new Dem talking point, watch for it.

[Puppage]

LOL

Thanks, I appreciate that.

Pete

[rube]

Shannon Burke who is on FLA 540 here in Orlando has info on the 6 family members who are aghast at the president's use of the 9/11 footage. I can't supply the details due to work, but they are connected with anti-Bush organizations in one form or another. Maybe someone else can contact him. He has done his homework.