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Maybe she got testy because she doesn't know where Alaska is. |
Posted on 05/02/2006 5:04:48 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 2, 2006
Katie Couric put on a display of industrial-strength umbrage this morning when Bill Frist suggested the soon-to-be CBS anchor is opposed to drilling in ANWR.
In the wake of yesterday's Today show segment on Frist's proposal for a $100 gas tax rebate in which Matt Lauer gave respectful treatment to Rush Limbaugh's suggestion that the rebate amounted to treating taxpayers like ladies of the night, Frist must have known that he was walking into the lion's den this morning.
At one point, Katie hit Frist with excerpts from two letters to the editor of her apparent paper of choice - the NY Times.
"Let's see, $100 rebate checks to all taxpayers to offset rising gas prices. That's money out of my tax dollars back to me to give back to gas companies. The way I figure it that rebate won't even cover my gas one way to Washington to complain."
And another:
"Gee, a $100 rebate check. Isn't this just like the piddling Republican tax cuts given to middle-class taxpayers compared with the enormous tax giveaways to the really wealthy? Will we fall for chump change rather than real change?"
When Frist replied: "I would just ask where all those commentators are on the increased exploration in Alaska?" Katie cut in testily: "these are normal citizens, Senator, in addition to government officials."
Frist continued to pound away at his notion that the $100 rebate was just one part of an eight-point program, and that the key to getting prices down in the long run was by affecting supply and demand. Specifically on the supply side, Frist repeatedly touted his support of drilling in ANWR.
Katie referred to ANWR drilling as "a very controversial proposal", adding "that [it] has repeatedly failed to pass in Congress. Some have questioned the Republicans' sincerity becasue they know, in the view of these critics, that this won't pass." [So the fault lies not with Democratic intransigence but with Republican support for a beneficial proposal?]
That's when things heated up. Frist added "maybe you don't support it, but it has overwhelming support by the American people." Frist pointed out that the legislation had previously passed, noting that if Bill Clinton hadn't vetoed the legislation that had been passed by both houses, we would today be benefiting from 1 million barrels a day from ANWR, more than we import from Saudi Arabia.
A clearly annoyed Couric: "I don't have a position on it, Senator. I don't have a position on it, but would you concede it's controversial?"
Frist: "It's controversial, but it has majority support in the US Senate as was demonstrated on the floor six weeks ago, it has majority support in this country, and it's the right thing to do unless you want to remain, or the American people or others want to remain 60% dependent on the most unstable parts of the world today."
Note how Frist 'revised and extended this last remark to avoid suggesting that Katie herself wanted to remain dependent on foreign oil. Seems he didn't want to be twice bitten by Couric, who is perhaps particularly eager to establish above-the-fray credentials as she prepares to assume her anchor duties.
Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
Today Show/NewsBusters ping.
Here's wishing she had no position in the media.
Now now now... Kewpie is a mite sensitive about the subject of drilling these days... she's been sans boyfriend for many months.
LOL, that was classic. With that classic "I hate you Senator Frist" smile she had while she said that was beautiful. A great way to start the morning for me...la
She has a liberal position on everything, and she's not fooling anyone.
The newsbuster site has a picture of Katie and Frist; Katie is wearing her "smart glasses". LOL, its too darn funny. Why did CBS hire this bimbo in the first place? She is working hard to change her image to being "smart" instead of "perky". It isn't working, Katie.
Perky Couric should not lie; it is unbecoming. She seethes with hatred for George Bush. I cannot imagine her agreeing with anything he supports!
Couric is the greatest news broadcaster ever to live.
And I'm tall dark and handsome. And pigs can fly.
I just about spit out my coffee in laughter while watching the Today show this morning.
Normally, Frist bugs me as a lukewarm wimp, but I *loved* it when he nailed her for being clearly biased.
I'm surprised the exchange didn't go like this...
Frist: We should drill in ANWR.
Katie: Ann Who?
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Maybe she got testy because she doesn't know where Alaska is. |
But I couldn't help but laugh at this letter. It's so damn true!
"Let's see, $100 rebate checks to all taxpayers to offset rising gas prices. That's money out of my tax dollars back to me to give back to gas companies. The way I figure it that rebate won't even cover my gas one way to Washington to complain."
Frist: "If I give you $100 will you be my friend?"
Bad Andy, you are really baaaaaad!
P.S. I loved it!
LOL.
Frist tried to frame the $100 as a tax rebate of the average amount of federal gas taxes that people pay in a year. But it still comes off looking like a lame stunt.
The one thing I wish Frist had said in answer to her "You must concede it's controversial" statement/query would have been: "Controversial?? Why?--because the Editorial Page of the NY Times, your fellow newsreaders and the Green Freaks oppose it? No--I believe it's far from controversial--normal humans support this reasonable use of our natural resources. Check the polls, Katie. Oh--and one more thing: have you EVER described abortion as 'controversial'? Didn't think so..."
Pharboy for Senate!!
Um, that's Pharmboy, of course!
If she doesn't have a position ... then why does she donate and attend Dem fund raisers??
Yeah, but she'll fit right in over at See-BS.....
Perky Katie is doing some crawfishing because she knows taking a stand against drilling in ANWR (or the other 3 untapped fields in the region) won't sit too well with Joe Sixpack in a time of rising gas prices.....
LOL! If nominated, I will not run, and if elected, I will not serve. (And for the ten point bonus question, who said that? I cannot remember...)
translated: "how dare you ask me to take a position, I mean if I do then most people would hate me" *blink blink*
Doogle
At least she admitted, she and her buddies were abnormal.
Continuing to reflect on Couric's statement, it simply strains credulity to think that someone intimately involved in the news of the day doesn't have a personal opinion on one of the most pressing issues.
Rather than making a clearly incredible statement, Couric would have been better advised to say "I have not expressed an opinion on the matter."
Gen. William T. Sherman said that in 1884. Bruce Springsteen said it in 2002 or thereabouts.
because it is.
I liked the 'letter' thar read along the lines of the 100.00 is just another tax cut for the rich...
Funny how today never reads MY letters... :)
She had a POSITIOn on her rear end drilling televised nationwide !!
Can also be stated as. . .
"Couric not opposed to drilling in ANWR"
Frist's idea is to link rebates with ANWR approval, then get Dems on record as voting against rebate checks. But the whole thing is stupid. Ought to just keep bringing up ANWR as a stand alone and really make the case for it, then rail against Dems for voting against it. It's not necessary to link ANWR with a stupid rebate scheme.
Thank you, Rob. Appreciated.
People here frequently mock Couric's televised colonoscopy. For all my criticism of her, I think that was a great thing on her part. As you know, her husband died of colon cancer and she has made it a cause. Her colonoscopy undoubtedly encouraged many people to get one, and as a result surely saved many lives. Why would we want to mock that?
If giving away $100.00 is the best Frist can come up with, he is as stupid as Katie.
You know, it's about time a Republican came on her show and pointed out her bias. I have a fresh respect for Senator Frist this a.m.
I saw this exchange. I am anxious to see it again, at 11:00, when the first hour of the Today Show will be available for viewing on NBC's web site.
No position, huh, Katie? LIAR.
Your comment is 100% correct. Frist is the wrong guy to be in the position he is in, almost as bad as Trent Lott was when he ran things. The Republicans need a real flame thrower to roast folks like Cutie Katy and her NY Times lovin' demorats.
Frist could have gambled by saying: "Katie, with all due respect, I strongly suspect you DO have a position on drilling in ANWR and that you oppose it, unfortunately. And the reason I suspect this is because my staff briefs me on the political stances of the folks who interview me, in case an issue JUST like this one comes up. [List of several Couric positions, such as on global warming, gas taxes, how Bush is evil and Democrats are Good, etc.] So I would be quite surprised if you favored drilling in ANWR, even though it will be the most environmentally safe drilling venture ever done. Don't patronize me, with all due respect."
I thought that CBS was an acronym for Communist Broadcasting System! But C Bull Sh*t is pretty good, too. Certainly either one is more descriptive of that MSM outlet than whatever it was that CBS stood for in the distant past. Their hey-days are over; they just do not realize it!
Oooooh...quite risque.
I've been saying it for years. Every time a question or a remark get's thrown to us from the left by these socialists - we need to hit it right back at them with a response which includes a remark about their own bias. It hasnt happened often but, when it does, they look like a cat backed into a corner by a Doberman. The Repubs need to understand that taking the high road doesnt work with these folks.
the caption is the funny part because it looks like SHE has gas pains :D
Frist finally showing some ba*ls!!
I heard she stole Laura Ingraham's... and she's being pumped regularly.
Plus Cutie has to play it middle of the road from now on. She can't go over to CBS with any perceived biases ya know....pffftt
I think the $100 is a lame giveaway. But if you think about it, it has two positive things.
One, the really poor people who can't find $2 to put gas in their tank to get to work (Believe it or not, I know a few of these, and in several cases gave people a few dollars so they could go to work) - these people it will help.
Two, it keeps the essence of supply and demand in the market. When gas comes down, people get wasteful.
That said, the gas prices are a many headed hydra that need to be attacked from all different places.
I love that Frist hit her on ANWR, but when are we going to drill in FL? Probably never, but it's a crime to let Cuba steal our oil.
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