Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 18 Apr 2004

Various big media television networks ^ | 18 Apr 2004 | Various Self-Serving Politicians and Big Media Screaming Faces

[Alas Babylon!]

The Talk Shows

Sunday, April 18th, 2004

Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows:

FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): National security adviser Condoleezza Rice; outgoing Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar.

MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Sen. John Kerry, Democratic presidential candidate.

FACE THE NATION (CBS): National security adviser Condoleezza Rice.

THIS WEEK (ABC): British Prime Minister Tony Blair; national security adviser Condoleezza Rice; Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

LATE EDITION (CNN) : Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Sens. John Warner, R-Va., and Joe Lieberman, D-Conn.; independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader; Sept. 11 commission member John Lehman.

[Alas Babylon!]

As always, soliciting FReeper comments, observations, and opinions.

[Alas Babylon!]

Good Condi Morning to you all. Notice how "DNC Lockstep" Timmy Russert remains.

[The Raven]

I was really annoyed at the press conf. -- that all the reporters were assuming Bush was in trouble and had made a mistake going to Iraq. Now it's the Israel thing.

Can we have adults today? And skip the aprtisan stuff like asking for apologies (how childish!!)

How about asking questions like - "What happens if Iran or Syria send troops to Iraq?

[maica]

Looks like Dr Rice has marginalized Meet the Press.
LOL!

I wish that viewing of the Kerry hour will be so low that Timmy and the dems sweat, in cold fear, when the numbers are reported.

(I won't be watching.)

[BillyCrockett]

Definately going to watch the "Timmy and Johnny" DNC show. Should be good for some laughs.

[Timeout]

The J. Effin K. drinking game:

Take a sip of coffee every time he says "United Nations", "patriotism" or "Vietnam".

Only go to the bathroom when.........well, I can't think of anything positive he might even conceivably come up with!

[Russ]

I see that there is a slow pitch softball game on NBC this morning. And on the mound, Tim Russert...

[MEG33]

I am relieved to have you reporting back to us..I won't have to watch the "tough" questioning from Tim to Kerry....;)

[RobFromGa]

Everyone should take a minute this morning to write a letter to the 9-11 commission and ask them to remove Gorelick. Here is mine.

April 18, 2004

National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
Washington Office: Tel: (202) 331-4060 Fax: (202) 296-5545
New York Office: Tel: (212) 264-1505 Fax: (212) 264-1595

To: The Commission Leadership
CC: Ms. Jamie Gorelick, Commission Member (also high-ranking member of previous Administration)

Dear Commissioners:

I have been disturbed by the revelations of this past week that Ms. Gorelick deliberately withheld specific information about her past responsibilities from the people that appointed the people to this commission.

Her job title alone should have been enough to disqualify her, it is apparent that she was in a position of very high power within the Administration just previous to the present one. It is also readily apparent that she is tightly related to many members of the previous Administration—many of whom were held over by the Bush Administration to maintain a level of continuity on these important tasks.

Her letter in the Washington Post this morning raises more questions than it resolves, making it obvious why Ms. Gorelick must not remain on this Commission and must be a Witness. It is readily apparent that:

Ms. Gorelick is unable to impartially judge people that she knew closely and worked with.

Ms. Gorelick will be unable to impartially judge people she worked for.

Ms. Gorelick never belonged on this Commission and does not belong on this commission now.

The fact that she had to write her letter for the Washington Post to defend herself is proof that the Commission is tainted beyond repair by her continued presence. It is also proof that she is under great pressure to do the right thing.

This is not a witch-hunt that is bringing her demise even though that is what will be reported by the partisan press. This is a basic question of fairness and conflict of interest. When she is removed, I hope that Commission leaders will keep this in mind as they announce this to the world. To suggest that this was in any way partisan or a political witch hunt or McCarthyism will only serve to further taint the Commission.

Did Ms. Gorelick disclose to any of you that she was so tightly involved in the “Wall” or that she prepared and signed the memo adding to it, or did you find that out from Mr. Ashcroft like the rest of us? Was she forthcoming that she might be an important witness before the Commission? Did she ever object to being named and have to be talked into it?

It is past time for Ms. Gorelick to do the right thing and resign. She should have refused service when asked but she didn’t so now it up to her to fix the situation or have it fixed for her.

Ms. Gorelick is knowledgeable about Conflicts of Interest. It is my understanding that she wrote a book on this very subject. Her continued presence can only mean that she is trying to make sure that the previous Administration is not examined fairly. Or she is afraid of being a witness and this is her best defense.

With her biased perspective removed, maybe the Commission can continue your work to help prevent the next 9-11. That is the important reason to be doing this now (while we are still fighting this War)—isn’t it?

If your purpose is instead to provide political ammunition for campaigning, then I can see why multiple TV appearances on cable and network news and opinion shows by all the members of the Commission would be a wise strategy. But, if you are trying to prevent the next 9-11, as charged, then you should stay away from the TV cameras and the easy sound-bites.

Once Ms. Gorelick resigns, or is forcibly removed from this Commission if she refuses to do the honorable thing, then she needs to be called as a Witness. I would also like to see her explain why she hid her previous activities from the people who appointed her.

All across America, people have seen what a partisan circus many aspects of this Commission have become. In this one area, you need to take steps to reduce this perception—remove Ms. Gorelick and call her to testify.

Sincerely,
A concerned American

Rob Northrup
Norcross, GA

[MEG33]

Good letter,Rob.She won't resign..and they won't fire her.

[Timeout]

Have you seen Jamie Gorelick's op-ed in today's WashPost?

She could've called it "See no evil...."

[Benrand]

Drink a whole beer when he says "blah blah blah...look, blah blah "

[Timeout]

I haven't heard anyone explain why she can't testify. She's recused herself from any matters concerning her time at Justice. Seems to me that should free her up for testifying about that timeframe.

And while she's on the hot seat, ask her who was the "legal expert" who advised Clinton he didn't have legal authority to extradite bin Laden.

[Fifth Business]

She won't resign..and they won't fire her.

Then she'll queer the results in the mind of a large percentage of the population. Perhaps that's not so bad.

[Morgan in Denver]

Good morning, and as usual, thanks. It will be good watching Condi this morning.

[JimSEA]

Good Morning. A better overall lineup than usual. The Democrats must be resting up to rejoice over the 60 min. attack tonight.

[MEG33]

I can just hear Benvenasty giving her the same tough treatment he gave Condi....not.

[mathluv]

This is certainly not a MTP morning, but I might try to watch Tony. FNS sounds good as always.

[Timeout]

Tom Friedman had another interesting piece in today's NY Times. Once again he despises everything about Bush...except he agrees with everything he's doing.

Memorable line: "It takes two to multilateral".

He's telling Effin that the absence of allies isn't all Bush's fault. Those allies never wanted to "multilateral".

[Carolinamom]

Thanks for this Sunday thread.....I've freed up a lot of time not watching Stephi, Russert, and Woofie. Thanks to this thread and courageous freepers, I can get the gist of these alleged journalists' performances.

[Glenn]

This is certainly not a MTP morning

I disagree. It's a perfect MTP morning. Waffles on Sunday -- an American tradition.

[Aeronaut]

Thanks, as always AB, for starting this thread.

[MEG33]

</;)

[Timeout]

I wish Timmy would as Effin to name one single instance where pubbies have questioned his patriotism.

[mathluv]

I agree about the waffles - just not on my diet.

[MEG33]

I'll read it..thanks.

[demkicker]

Great letter. I've already called, but will write a letter too for good measure.

[RobFromGa]

Good letter,Rob.She won't resign..and they won't fire her.

Thanks, if she remains on the Commission, then at least her presence will cast great doubt on any conclusions drawn by the Commission. The political fallout will be contained in either case by the obvious political nature of these proceedings.

There will be future commissions after the War is won that will examine all this again.

[Timeout]

Methinks the "downtime" yesterday was spent at Dr. Botox's Wrinkle Removal Clinic....and at the spray-on tanning booth.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Let's see... what are the odds that Russert will ask old F'in:

About his detailed plans for the war on terror and Iraq;
His wife's tax returns;
His VVAW activities (and appearance at that meeting where assassination of senators was discussed);
The partisanship of the 9-11 commission and conflicts of interest in Commissioner Gorelick (as well as others);
Etc. Etc. Etc.

Please advise -- I don't think I can stand watching.

[Morgan in Denver]

Heard an interesting item this week. Supposedly, Max Cleland, who lost three limbs, never got a Purple Heart. It got me wondering why Kerry doesn't simply give him one of his?

[Benrand]

waffles with Terezza Heinz Kerry ketchup slathered all over them...

[Timeout]

Cleland didn't get a purple heart because his wounds were caused by an accident, not combat.

[Reo]

"Timmy & "Waffles" on Sunday....an American Tradition.."...LOL! The the Quote of the Day and the shows haven't even started yet!

[RobFromGa]

Yes, I saw the Gorelick op-ed in the Post this AM. It's what prompted me to write my letter.

[MEG33]

Condi managed to side step the "Did the President tell Israel it wouldn't be helpful to continue these assassinations?"...by saying that they are at war with terror and they have to be prepared to deal with the consequences of these actions(or inaction!!).

No speculation on prisoner exchanges...Woodward book..yes...he did ask what options might be..Iraq was most hostile relations in ME for us.

[Timeout]

Never has so much history been re-written so quickly by so many!

[NYpeanut]

I was just thinking that JFK looked like he had his face ironed. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[Carolinamom]

Condi having to explain again to Wallace that President Bush believes that Israel has the right to defend itself and to consider any actions that might follow. Also said that President Bush has taken the initiative of even mentioning the possibility of a Palistinian STATE. (Palistinians must take advantage of the opportunity offered by Sharon, however.)

[rodguy911]

Great letter Rob, but you have to wonder how many people take this commission seriously at this point.

[Morgan in Denver]

Oh yeah.... Now I remember. I guess Kerry should keep his three. Still, it sure would be "nice" of him to do that, seeing it's all such a brotherhood and all that, and Kerry is so compassionate over Vietnam. < /sarcasm >

[NordP]

"Senator Kerry, (Dems NEVER forget titles when it's their own guy! - our President is LUCKY if he's referred to as "Mr.') --is it true that your favorite color is yellow? ...Now, I know this is a personal question, but it IS an election year, and America needs to know.. Of all of your outfits, which one makes you look and feel the best?"

sheesh.

[White Eagle]

While Jamie Gorelick is the most egregious example of a conflict of interest on this commission, the sad part is not that the 5 democrats and 5 republicans have differences, but rather that there is an overwhelming similarity among all 10 of them - they have all spent most of their adult life on a government payroll. That makes them each part of the problem, not the solution.

Add to that, they are all political has-beens and camera publicity hounds, and all the ingredients for a useless, pandering exercise are in place. Hopefully they will do little harm.

[TomGuy]

Kerry re-invents himself.

He used to bloviate: "I have a plan, but George W Bush is bad..."

Today, he's bloviating: I will change this and I will change that. His new keyword is change.

Well, John, the first change should be your make-up person. That is a sad make-up job this morning:

[Carolinamom]

I'm getting tired of film clips of Kerry's "I'm tired of..." speech. Down South, we'd say he's "tarred."

[MEG33]

Oh.Lord..They are playing Kerry's drunken sounding complaint about attacking his patriotism.Condi won't comment.

[White Eagle]

I've seen the explanation of Y'allbonics. Very interesting.

[Benrand]

Change, huh...he's going for the moron vote. They are the ones who are always clamoring for "change". I can think of many college campuses where Kerry could mine to moron vote.

[Timeout]

OMG...Tim just played the soundbite from "Face the Nation" and he left out the critical words where Kerry said "it would be irresponsible" for any senator to vote against the $87 billion!

[TomGuy]

Tim confronts Kerry on his "I voted for .. . before I voted against" comment.

Kerry is spinning his answer. Yes, but "the President threatened to veto that bill."