O'Reilly Factor - Left-wing "reporters" met with John Kerry in Al Franken's apartment

03.22.04

[kcvl]

In an effort to galvanize the message Kerry wants to deliver in the time remaining, he convened a powerful roster of journalists and columnists in the New York City apartment of Al Franken last Thursday. The gathering could not properly be called a meeting or a luncheon. It was a trial. The journalists served as prosecuting attorneys, jury and judge. The crowd I joined in Franken’s living room was comprised of:

Al Franken and his wife Franni;
Rick Hertzberg, senior editor for the New Yorker;
David Remnick, editor for the New Yorker;
Jim Kelly, managing editor for Time Magazine;
Howard Fineman, chief political correspondent for Newsweek;
Jeff Greenfield, senior correspondent and analyst for CNN;
Frank Rich, columnist for the New York Times;
Eric Alterman, author and columnist for MSNBC and the Nation;
Art Spiegelman, Pulitzer Prize winning cartoonist/author of ‘Maus’;
Richard Cohen, columnist for the Washington Post;
Fred Kaplan, columnist for Slate;
Jacob Weisberg, editor of Slate and author;
Jonathan Alter, senior editor and columnist for Newsweek;
Philip Gourevitch, columnist for the New Yorker;
Calvin Trillin, freelance writer and author;
Edward Jay Epstein, investigative reporter and author;
Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who needs no introduction.

We sat in a circle around Kerry and grilled him for two long hours. In an age of retail politicians who avoid substance the way vampires avoid sunlight, in an age when the sitting President flounders like a gaffed fish whenever he must speak to reporters without a script, Kerry’s decision to open himself to the slings and arrows of this group was bold and impressive. He was fresh from two remarkable speeches – one lambasting the PATRIOT Act, another outlining his foreign policy ideals while eviscerating the Bush record – and had his game face on. He needed it, because Eric Alterman lit into him immediately on the all-important issue of his vote for the Iraq War Resolution. The prosecution had begun.

[familyofman]

"Pot meet Kettle"...

Goose & gander, good for both.

[kcvl]

Thanks for the warning.

[AmishDude]

I don't understand what the big deal is. Most of these people are admitted opinion journalists. Columnists, etc. It would be like W meeting with Peggy Noonan, George Will, Mark Steyn, etc.

I think it diminishes Kerry a bit, chilling with the Loony Left, but there's no there there.

[Barset]

Thank you for posting this. Calvin Trillin on Chris Matthews Sunday show was surprising. Why would Trillin be there if they were not discussing the best barbecue joints in Kansas City? He is such a twee little guy, all that war talk must have been unsettling.

When he invited Trillin to appear on his show did Chris Matthews know that Trillin is a member of Kerry's Little Band of Newsbenders?

[Pharmboy]

Yep it is a bit of a comfort. I remember reading statistics from the last election that had Jews under 35 voting more pubbie than demonrat--by about 60/40 IIRC.

[blackie]

We have our work cut out for us ~ Let's Rock and Roll!

We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping

[VadeRetro]

That may prove to be a historic meeting, one that shows the leftist press still pulls lots of strings in this country. Dean went nowhere but South after that.

[VadeRetro]

Kerry was against the Patriot Act before he was for it or vice-versa. Or he didn't like how it was done. Whatever.

[GOPJ]

It's bold and impressive to risk having your butt kissed by that many reporters at one time. Other than that, this meeting was a scary as having your gushing bride write your job evaluation.

Kerry’s decision to open himself to the slings and arrows of this group was bold and impressive.

[GOPJ]

It's bold and impressive to risk having your butt kissed by that many reporters at one time. Other than that, this meeting was as scary as having your gushing bride write your job evaluation.

Shame on these reporters participating in an inappropriate pep rally.

Kerry’s decision to open himself to the slings and arrows of this group was bold and impressive.

[arasina]

I do believe a ruling by a SCOTUS justice with ties to NOW activists trumps Scalia's friendly outing with the vice president.

[Greek]

...Your comment is pretty witty, you should think about writing for publication.

[GOPJ]

Kerry’s decision to open himself to the slings and arrows of this group was bold and impressive.

It's bold and impressive to risk having your butt kissed by that many reporters at one time? Other than that risk, this meeting was as scary as having your gushing bride write your job evaluation.

Shame on these reporters participating in an inappropriate pep rally.

[MeekOneGOP]

From Registered, I uploaded yesterday to my website:

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed. Thanks for the ping!

[onyx]

BUMP.
Perfect analogy.
I love it.
Thanks for the ping!

[onyx]

Yes sirree Meek,
Registered scored another hit with that one.
It needs posting on every Kerry thread, IMHO.

[an amused spectator]

Howard Dean and most liberal "reporters" agree:

John Kerry's "ruby red 000" tastes better than beluga caviar.

;-)

[hosepipe]

[ Rich's take on whatever issue is in question, praising Rich's support for gay marriage and his foaming dislike of Mel Gibson and "The Passion." ]

Obviously Rich GOT the film as did his "demons" and they are hopping mad. A good story rightly told is in direct opposition to the "Father of Lies".. as shown by Rich and his employers.. It must be a miserable living in such a world as Rich does..

i.e. so much truth to obfuscate, and so little time to morph it..
The only response is, "TO HELL WITH HIM"..