Russert goes to the Texas links between boater supporters and Bush. Russert lists them all, with emphasis. Mehlman mentions Bacon Game. Tad Devine is smiling broadly at Russert's questioning, like he's saying "You go girl". Tad is obviously trying to unsettle Mehlman, but it's not working.
Russert keeps pushing the connection between Bush and the ad. It's really quite stunning that Russert is so incredulous Mehlman won't just roll over and admit there's a link! Mehlman is doing GREAT. Mehlman keeps saying, Bush has called Kerry's service 'Noble". If Russert isn't as relentless with Devine, I'll puke!
Russert goes after Devine for waiting 3 weeks to go on the attack. Devine spinning right off hte bat, going to the real issues, like jobs and healcare, as if Bush isn't. Devine provides echo chamber for what Russert asked in his questioning of Mehlman.
Russert does good quoting New York Daily News mentioning Kerry's "exaggerations, if not worse". He quotes Kerry on Cambodia. Good work Russert! on Senate floor and from Boston Herald, Russert quotes Kerry himself.
Russert holds Devine's feet to the fire. Devine goes after Bush for never being fired on. Russert holds Devine to the fire again showing moveon.org ad...but wait!!!! just that last ad. NO MENTION Of the year of ads by moveon.org
Russert asks why are the campaigns debating the Viet Nam war? Mehlman should have screamed out. BUSH ISNT! We ARENT THE Swiftboaters!!!! oh well,
This is pissing in the wind.
Mehlman comes across as rational, calm, no hate, no vitriolic attack on Kerry, mostly factual. Devine is getting riled. Mehlman remains so even when Russert uses 2 republicans quotes against Bush. I'm impressed with Mehlman.
Too bad Mehlman muffed just once, sayd RNC when he obviously meant DNC, but He spoke eloquently about how at the Democratic convention, there were 23 seconds spent on Kerry's 20 Missing Years in the Senate.
Russert does good job on questioning Tad about Kerry's war votes on Iraq. Devine does the Halliburton thing. (guess Scooter gets a vacation break today).
Devine won't say whether it's a goal or a promise to bring home troops in 6 months as Kerry promised on NPR
YAHOO! Mehlman points out the fallacy of Kerry promising the enemy they only have to wait 6 months and 1 day before we cut and run. btw.General Franks has said the same thing. that it's stupid to tell the enemy how long you will fight.
All in all, a good interview. Well done!
And I love at the end how Mehlman pointing out that even this morning, Tad continues to attack Bush's National Guard service.
Thanks for an excellent report. Wish I'd seen it but my sister called.
MEET THE PRESS: Starts out by showing ads from both sides. Tad Snarling upper lip Devine and Ken Mehlman rpresenting Bush.
I was working out at the "Y" the other night and Tad Devine was being interviewed on the TV (couldn't hear the sound)
And yes he sure does speak with a snarl. More specifically, it was the right side of his face that had the snarl. The left side was neutral.
What a slime ball!
Devine is scary. I kept thinking he was just THIS close to pulling out a gun and blowing everybody away. Any campaign that puts this guy out in public view is not a stable organization. He scares me.