Posted on 05/31/2006 7:54:23 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
May 31, 2006
You have to admire the consistency of Katie Couric and her Today show crew. In her final appearance as Today show host, we were treated to a litany of parting shots at Republicans and bouquets tossed to Democrats. In the first half-hour, the emphasis was on Katie-the-hard-nosed-reporter, asking the tough questions. But . . . surprise! the only objects of pointed inquiries were non-Democrats.
First was her famous ambush interview of Pres. George H.W. Bush when the ostensible purpose of her White House visit was a tour with Barbara Bush on the occasion of the building's 200th anniversary:
Couric to Bush: "Some Democrats say you have not leveled about your knowledge of Iran-Contra."
Next was this question/snipe for Ross Perot: "Some people are left with the impression that you're vindictive, that you're ruthless. a sore loser, and they don't feel comfortable with that."
She was seen interviewing Kofi Annan and Bill Clinton, but there were no questions, no context.
But when Bob Dole appeared, in an interview from some campaign past , Tough Katie suddenly re-appeared: "Some people think from your comments that you've made of late that you're being an apologist for the tobacco industry, that somehow they have you in their pocket."
Question for Patrick Buchanan: "Is this a big ego trip for you?"
Couric, seeking to put the reportedly pro-choice Laura Bush on the spot: "Do you believe women in this country should have the right to an abortion?"
To Dan Quayle, presumably on the eve of his VP debate with Al Gore: "Some people think Al Gore is going to eat you alive in the debate."
Note the 'some people' trope, used four times here and on countless occasions during Couric's interviewing career to put in the mouths of other, unidentified, people, what would seem to be in Couric's own heart and mind.
Couric to David Duke: "I'd like to repeat something you said in 1985, quote 'I think the Jewish people have been a blight and they probably deserve to go into the ash bin of history . . . that's a direct quote Mr. Duke."
She was showing in a warm 'n fuzzy moment with two public figures. First, Al Gore of all people. Ending an interview, she pats him on the arm, adds "we want to thank you and we've got some fun footage to show as we head to a commercial break" as a clip rolls of Al and Katie in light-heartedly dancing together! Given the megawatt smile she flashed at Al during an interview just last week, it makes you wonder if Couric might have a thing for Ozone Man.
Finally, in what apparently turned out to be JFK, Jr.'s last public interview, he was shown mentioning to Katie that several times a day "people come up to say 'your father was a great man.'"
Katie Couric: liberal to the last drop.
I thought SeeBS was already sunk - aren't its ratings the lowest of any of the alphabet networks?
A little chat from the local hair salon today. Most of the women are sad to see Katie leave NBC, because NBC has allowed her the freedom to speak the truth. It seems that the rest of the media have not been allowed to tell the truth and that is why they seem so confused and their reports are not accurate. The highlight of the day other than those in my hair is that a super nice guy came in with his hair buzzed on only one side and that is because his wife's buzzer stopped working and he is in the Navy, deploying today for his first tour. I thanked him for his service and insisted on paying for his haircut. As he walked out I said, "There goes a guy that will make it possible for Katie to keep her new job." He turned around and laughed.
Meredith Viera, Katie's replacement, appears to be even more blatantly liberal than Couric. Meredith's sure to provide plenty of good material for the foreseeable future ;-)
Some people think Katie sucks.
Proud to say the same.
Duke is a louse. But it was just one more example of Katie hitting a non-Democrat with a tough question.
I mean REALLY sink...like cancellation with 18 months!!
Moving to a new venue won't fix that massive air leak coming from her head.
Good riddance to Couric. She'll be off the air until September, then after a short disastrous stint on CBS, she'll be lucky to get a gig on CourTV.
Any shots from her ass-cam?
same here. :D
Perky to the end - er - the finish.
So Katie goes on to CBS. I suspect that when she does show up on the evening news, CBS will be revamping the entire show. I will not be surprised if they remake it ala Today Morning Show in an attempt to attract the same viewership. The dumbing down marches onward.
And, her replacement, can't think of her name, but I recall has quite the liberal pedigree. So GLGB, you're work won't be waning.. if anything, it'll probably increase..
I appreciate what you do.. I know it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it...
I would guess that the media believes it has sold the public on the fact that Duke was a Republican, hence any outrageous remarks from him would tarnish the GOP.
Of course, Duke was a Democrat first -- probably was in 1985 -- and was rejected by Republicans when he switched parties.
By leaving out information, the media is relying on the public not to know that when Duke was a Democrat, Democrats had no problems with his anti-semitic views, but when he switched they used it to tarnish the GOP even though the GOP rejected him.
Many thanks, tje. It truly is my, twisted, pleasure ;-)
I thought SeeBS was already sunk - aren't its ratings the lowest of any of the alphabet networks?
They were the lowest for a long time. Dan Rather sunk them into a hole nobody thought they could get out of.
But Bob Schieffer recently got them to number one for the first time in years. For accomplishing this seemingly impossible feat, they are going to show him the door and move fat ass kewpie Katie into the seat.
They are going to need a roller-coaster style chair behind that anchor desk, so Katie doesn’t fly off on the initial ratings plunge.
I hate it when interviewers use the "some people say" prefix to a question. The person being interviewed should immediately demand the interviewer disclose who those mysterious people are.
Name them, Katie!!!
You're right, the AP DID do a story a little while back criticizing Bush for using the phrase "some people say." And it was published as a hard news piece! Supposedly pointing out "straw-man arguments" in Bush's speech. Bet they'll never do the same to Katie.
Here is the story:
http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/03/18/D8GE4I3O0.html
None of her "Katie" BS matters. She is going to flop big time on CBS. She like Oprah has seen her best days. When "Ice Cube" whacks Oprah, you know the brains of the Black community have had it with her useless spin. CBS is throwing their money into the street!!!
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