Still waiting for someone to ask Ms Couric about Syria.
Posted on 07/07/2004 4:53:54 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
Edited on 07/07/2004 5:44:36 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
From the outset, the Today Show strategy in boosting John Edwards was clear. Cast his perceived strengths as fact. Portray any negatives as over-the-top, mean-spirited GOP attacks.
Couric got things off to a rousing start by saying that "many" describe Edwards as "the most optimistic man in America," and a reporterette immediately echoed the theme, saying that Edwards "is running on the sunny side of the street," [gag me with a parasol].
Then it was time to play on the heart strings, with an extended segment on the death of Edwards 16-yr. old son in a car accident. One former advisor even went so far as to claim that "part of his interest in civic affairs is a tribute to his son." ['Subliminable' message - a vote for Kerry/Edwards is a vote to honor the son].
Then it was on to a Katie interview of Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill. I must say that I was shocked by her demeanor and apparent lack of competence. She came across as a frazzled, in-over-her-head, harried, stone-faced Massachusetts ward heeler, not a sophisticated ready-for-prime-time player. And while she listlessly mouthed platitudes in support of the Edwards choice, you almost got the impression that she had been backing another possible VP candidate.
She gave an astounding answer to Katie's question as to why Kerry ultimately chose Edwards: "Comfort, and together they're the team that can lead America" [or something along those lines.] Not a word about any real qualifications on Edwards' part. Obviously she couldn't dare to claim that he was best qualified, or even well qualified, to serve as President if need be.
Katie fretted a bit that Edwards was so wonderful that he might even overshadow Kerry, but Cahill assured her that wouldn't happen.
Rather than presenting the negatives about Edwards as facts, or even using her favorite "many say" or "some say" tactic, Couric presented the criticism as mean-spirited Republican attacks.
"The RNC wasted no time using Kerry's words against Edwards."
Cahill: "A lot of things are said in the heat of primary fight. Edwards has been very supportive since dropping out."
Couric: "Was there any offer to McCain, was it a serious?"
Cahill: "There was only one offer made, to John Edwards." Cahill dodged the question about whether they discussed the VP - again resorting to the weasel word formulation that "Kerry and McCain are colleagues and discuss many things but only one offer was made."
Then it was on to a Lester Holt interview with Edwards' fellow NC Senator, Libby Dole. I was expecting the worst from the namby-pamby Dole, but I must say was more aggressive than I expected and all in all acquitted herself well.
Holt immediately tried to put her on the defensive. He quoted the RNC press release describing Edwards as a "disingenuous, unqualified liberal," and asked Dole if she agreed.
This was a trap. Not only is there a tradition of comity in the Senate, it is particularly true of Senators from the same state, even when they're of different parties. But Dole had a clever answer: "I don't know him well because he's been on campaign trail so much," which was also a nice little dig suggesting he hasn't been attending to the people's business.
She added: "This is not a screen test. [Bada-bing!] He has been ranked by the National Journal as 4th most liberal senator, #1 is Kerry. This is a liberal, high-taxing, wealthy ticket."
Holt, still trying to put her on defense, tried to turn a negative about Edwards back on Pres. Bush: "Is Edwards' limited national experience an issue? Pres. Bush came to office with no experience. Is this an issue Republicans should push?" - clearly suggesting that they were weak and vulnerable on it.
Holt then pooh-poohed the McCain ad for Bush, pointing out negative things McCain has said about him. Dole deflected the question and described W as "a man of his word who says what he means, means what he says. He makes his decisions on what he feels is right, not on polls or pundits."
Then it waso back to Katie, now interviewing Tim Russert, and finding it hard to repress a huge smile in the wake of some vernight poll numbers that show the new Kerry Edwards ticket with an 8% lead.
Russert joined in the cheerleading: "it's all been good news for Democrats."
Russert then explained the Edwards pick this way: "Kerry has said to his fellow Democrats 'I want to win as badly as you do.' It has really galvanized the Dem party."
Once again Couric tried to cast any criticism of Edwards as pure partisan politics.
Couric: "What do you think of RNC tactics going after Edwards hard?"
Russert: "It plays to their base."
Katie, so excited by her enthusiasm, actually cut Russert off in an excited tone to say that "while Republicans have been criticizing Edwards for being a trial lawyer, in fact in an overnight poll 67% found it be a strength!"
Clearly worried about the impact of the McCain ad, Katie tried to drive a wedge between McCain and W: "How does Sen. McCain feel about being 'used' in that ad?"
The only thing Katie & Co. couldn't do: find a single person to assert with a straight face that John Edwards is qualified, if need be, to be President and Commander-in-Chief.
Today Show ping.
yeah, it's not like the Dems were galvanized before in their zeal to defeat Bush...
Remember when Russert was considered an "in depth" analyst?
Still waiting for someone to ask Ms Couric about Syria.
< PARSE-O-MATIC = ON >
Cahill: "There was only one offer made, to John Edwards."
< PARSE-O-MATIC = TRANSLATE >
Cahill: "We only said the words "Will you be my veep?" to John Edwards."
< PARSE-O-MATIC = OFF >
--- All the others were couched in terms like "If I were to offer it to you, would you accept?"
Technically correct, but total B.S. anyway.
How right you are. I saw some liberal pundit yesterday claiming Edwards was similar to GORE in being a 'moderate conservative.' Gore? Gore? The MoveOn.org, ANSWER guy? The certified card carrying member of the loony, America-hating left? I guess that's what passes for 'moderate conservative' in pundit-land - not calling for the immediate overthrow of the government by force or violence.
No need for Katic Couric to get "snippy", we all know that John Edwards was the best that John Kerry could find in the Democrat party, especially after our fine Republican Senator McCain turned him down , numerous times.
Exactly.
DEMS: We have to take things from you for the common good! ! ! !
Precisely. Or to take it one step further, when Dems attack, they're simply telling the truth that "many people" agree with. And often they don't need to attack at all, since they have Katie & Co. to do it for them.
And she thinks this is great journalism...NBC should hold it's head in shame.
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