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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!!
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