Today Show's Lauer Lobs Slow-Pitch Softballs to Gray Davis

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

When a Democratic politician needs to "get healthy," Katie Couric is normally brought in to groove some pitches down the middle of the plate for him to hit out of the park.

In his just-completed interview with embattled California Gov. Gray Davis, the Today Show's Matt Lauer demonstrated that he's no slouch when it comes to serving them up on a platter for liberals looking to raise their batting average.

Start with the format of the interview. Matt permitted Davis's wife to sit in. That's a tried-and-true technique to cast an unpopular pol in a softer and more sympathetic light. Lauer even lobbed a few softballs her way. Surprise! She does not want to see her husband drop our of the recall race.

When it came to Davis himself, Lauer tread ever-so-lightly. To preserve some semblance of objectivity, Lauer led by asking if Davis at least took *some* responsibility for California's budget crisis.

But almost before an answer could leave Davis's lips, Matt was sympathizing that, after all, California was part of the USA, which has been experiencing an economic downturn.

Not one question from Lauer about the disastrous energy contracts that Davis saddled the state with, costing it billions. No questions about Davis's dubious, some would say flatly unethical and illegal, fundraising efforts among companies with business before the state. No citations of Davis's abysmal poll ratings, showing that even Charles Manson is within the margin of error against him!

Instead, there was a delicate question as to whether - *for the good of the Democratic Party*, not for the good of the state - Davis might consider stepping aside and letting some more popular Dem take his place. Naturally Davis was having none of it.

Instead, Davis was allowed to fret about how he was concerned that the recall election would cost the taxpayers $60 million, and that the effort was an attempt to undo the will of the people.

Lauer went on to suggest that the recently adopted budget was something "Davis could run on," and Davis was only-too-happy to indicate it was, offering up a quote from a Republican legislator suggesting it represented progress.

Lauer saved his piece de resistance (pardon my French) for the end of the interview. He actually offered up the theory (to which Davis was only too happy to subscribe) that the recall effort was part of "a vast right wing conspiracy," seeking to undo an election in a way similar to what Republicans did in Florida in 2000!!

Davis coyly replied: "well, all the people behind this recall effort are conservative, millionaires, and have lost elections."

Wrong, Mr. Davis! Almost 1.5 million of the residents of California, from all walks of life, have joined in this popular movement to rid the state of your incompetent and unethical rule.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Sometimes I like to fool myself into imagining that Lauer is less of a biased liberal than Katie. This interview rudely disabused me of that notion. It was nothing less than a 5-minute Davis infomercial.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

ping

[Mr. K]

geez i have never seen lauer so bad...

this was katie couric level butt-kissing . will we see matt undergoing a cavity search for his brain like katie did?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for confirming what I found almost hard to believe: the level of sycophancy on display in Lauer's interview.

[OldFriend]

The dems have gotten their talking points........the recall is going to be likened to the Florida election fiasco, all the republican's fault of course. Watch that mantra be repeated again and again by the dems.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I think you're on to something. Davis will attempt to fire Dems' partisan passions with a rallying cry of "Remember Florida 2000!"

[mrtysmm]

God bless you for being able to 'watch' the today show. You do us a wonderful favor by monitoring it. I just can't stomach any of them...

[OldFriend]

Heard Monica Crowley on WABC radio last evening state that billandhill will use that analogy to decry the recall.

That's the second time that argument has been used.......so let's watch for it to be repeated by all the dems.

Anyone taking bets on Alan Colmes bringing up Florida!!! LOL

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Thanks for mentioning the Clintons. Lauer actually cited a report on Drudge (!) to the effect that the pair will be making appearances in CA in support of Davis. Davis confirmed that, while all the details haven't been worked out, he has been in touch with them in that regard.

[YaYa123]

really enjoyed your take on the Lauer interview with Gray and Susan Davis. Here was my take on it:

"Davis being interviewed by Matt Lauer. Gray Davis is trying to blame California's woes on the Bush administration. Well, that's it in a nutshell..."when Bush came into office there were surpluses "as far as the eye could see". Matt asks, "so you think California's woes are a microcosm of what will happen to the rest of the country. And Matt says, "I read on Matt Drudge that the Clintons are coming to help you". hahaha

davis says Republicans are just relitigating the election, they had these recall petitions on the street 30 days after the election. Matt Lauer says, "you'll pardon me, but it sounds like you both (Gray and his wife Sharon), are claiming a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.

"The recall is a misguided effort by very rich Republicans", says Davis.

I'm not kidding folks, Matt Lauer interviewing Gray and Sharon Davis had the look of the famous 60 Minutes interview of Bill and Hillary. Sitting all sweet and cuddly, happy, grinning, on a sofa, claiming everything is rosy, they gonna win, and everyone is just out to get them."

21 posted on 07/30/2003 4:23 AM PDT by YaYa123"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

You're very welcome. Watching Today helps get me jump-started, just in case my extra strong French Roast doesn't get the job fone.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Sounds like we had a very similar take on the interview.

Am I wrong, or was this among the most fawning interviews Lauer has ever conducted? It really seemed to approach Couric-interviews-Hillary heights of servility.

[COUNTrecount]

"The Today Show"now renamed as "The Toady Show."

[YaYa123]

"Am I wrong, or was this among the most fawning interviews Lauer has ever conducted"

You listed the important, tough questions Lauer did not, but should have asked, and he gave Davis plenty of time to spin out his pre-packaged answers, which were echoed by his wife. It wasn't candid at all, there no surprises for Davis, but it was funny when Lauer practically LOL at how victimized Davis & wife portrayed themselves by the evil Republicans.

I think Lauer's questions about the Clintons coming in to rescue Davis were important. If Davis squeaks outta this mess, you better believe Hillary and Bill will claim it was because of them. Davis seemed reluctant to even admit they were coming.

[maryz]

Great summary! (Thank God I didn't have to see it -- I would have been spitting nails!)

[maryz]

Matt was sympathizing that, after all, California was part of the USA, which has been experiencing an economic downturn.

No mention of those who calculate that, without California and its basket-case economy, the US would have had a net increase in jobs in the past year or so?

[MEG33]

I'll be listening for the reference to Florida.

[jmaroneps37]

Matt is just being a good comrade, trying to help his guy keep power.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

>> Lauer Lobs Slow-Pitch Softballs

Sounds like he trying out for the Texas Rangers' Bullpen.

[Steely Glint]

Media - (Fox + conservative talk radio) = anti-American Leftists

[Fraulein]

I absolutely can't stand Lauer -- it pains me just to look at him...

However I think I hate little Katie even more...

[From The Deer Stand]

Why even watch Lauer and Couric? Lauer is known for his soft questioning of Liberals and Couric is known for getting upset when a Conservative doesn't answer a question the way she would like them to answer. Watch Fox News instead.

[WestPacSailor]

I too had the displeasure of watching the interview. (wife likes the Toady Show...don't get me started!). Gist of the interview was basically this:

Matt: Good morning governer, mind if kiss your backside?

Gov. Davis: no, please continue to do so.

Matt: Gosh Governor, I'm sorry the poor Republicans are picking on you.

Gov. Davis: Yeah Matt, it's not like I'm an incompetent hack or anything. I mean the budget/energy/immigration crisies can't possibly be my fault. I'm a compasionate, caring Demoncrat.

Matt: I hear the Clintons are coming to stump for you.

Gov Davis: That's true, and I'm sure the voters are excited to hear Bill talk about how trustworthy and reliable I am and Hitlery will be discussing my fantastic leadership abilities.

Matt: {smooch * smooch} Thank you Governor. Good luck in your crusade against the evil, right-wing hordes. And now a message from our sponsor, the Sierra Club, makers of environmentally friendly bicycles that only turn left.

[OldFriend]

Reading now that it's Terry McAwfull's idea to drag the Florida election into the mix for California......and the clinton's will be carrying that message during her little book tour forays and her appearance for Barbara Boxer.......

[dead]

I'm not kidding folks, Matt Lauer interviewing Gray and Sharon Davis had the look of the famous 60 Minutes interview of Bill and Hillary. Sitting all sweet and cuddly, happy, grinning, on a sofa, claiming everything is rosy, they gonna win, and everyone is just out to get them."

The bad news is – Bill and Hillary were right.

[YaYa123]

omigawd...I'm scared to reply to you after checking out that picture on your homepage. YIKES!!!

[NormsRevenge]

Davi$ IS Toast! What a waste of airtime! But that isn't saying much these days. Marching to a leftist beat, Matt and Katie High Colonic.. King and Queen of Kiss-up.. and throw-up ;-)

[an amused spectator]

"The Today Show" now renamed as "The Toady Show."

Best LOL that I've had in a while.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My specialty at FR is posting examples of liberal bias on The Today Show. Frequently, my posts draw well-intentioned replies along the lines of yours.

As I invariably reply, I watch The Today Show out of a combo of masochism and the belief that it's useful to keep an eye on what the liberal media are up to and report back to my fellow FReepers.

[gopwhit]

Thanks governsleastgovernsbest!!! Can you put me on your ping list for this?

I know you get ribbed for watching it, but I'm in your boat. I need to know what the enemy is doing. I need to understand how he thinks. And the Today Show is actually one hell of an alarm clock. I'm usually pretty groggy around 7 am, and one interview like that Lauer Lick-Fest with Davis gets me hopping out of bed to rattle off colorful phrases at the TV. My husband thinks I'm crazy.

I've always had some weird fantasy that Matt wasn't a lib like Katie--I read an article about him once that said he went through some pretty hard times and at one point he lived in a studio with his golden retriever. I liked that. Anyway, the french-kisssy with Davis and his WIFE (what the hell?) has definitely shown me the light!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

My pleasure to put you on the ping list.

I know what you mean about Matt. Superficially, he seems like a regular guy. He likes to play golf, and is married to a beautiful woman. The kind of guy you'd expect to be . . . a Republican!

But no. Interviews like this morning's conclusivly demonstrate he's nothing but a Katie-without-the-skirt!

[dc27]

My wife always watches that damn show in the morning too. I tell her to wait until I leave in the morning before you watch that garbage. I don't want to get too pissed off before my long commute.

[CyberAnt]

Rick Roberts (760 am) was talking to a reporter from Channel 8 (San Diego), about the reporter's interview of Mrs. Davis.

This idiot woman said that "anybody can start a petition - I mean if you are against blue shirts - and he wears a lot of blue shirts - you can start a petition and get lots of signatures and get somebody recalled".

And .. these are the same people who called Bush "stupid".

[an amused spectator]

Why even watch Lauer and Couric? Lauer is known for his soft questioning of Liberals and Couric is known for getting upset when a Conservative doesn't answer a question the way she would like them to answer. Watch Fox News instead.

It's his self-appointed duty here at Fort Free Republic. Somebody's got to peel the liberal potatoes from the Toady Show. ;-)

[gopwhit]

Is it that Lauer doesn't have a spine--he's just Katie's trained poodle? His wife is indeed pretty, but I'm always weary when men pick looks over brains. Isn't she a foreigner? Swedish Model? A man who marries a Swedish model is not looking for an intellectual home life. Wow that sounded like my mother I'm scaring myself.

OK my money says that tomorrow's lead-off will be Katie gushing over this "Gore again" thing. If they get some quotes from the Gore camp with any meat, I bet they'll run with it. Care to take a wager?

[Fraulein]

makers of environmentally friendly bicycles that only turn left

LOL!

[Fraulein]

What grown, professional woman chooses to go by the name Katie?

Barf.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I certainly hope that tomorrow's lead story is The Return of the Bearded One! And rest assured that if it is, your faithful reporter will be there to report back to FReeperville!

[hobbes1]

Two problems with this...

ONE..The headline should say "Former Richard Bey Show Co-host Matt Lauer..."

TWO...You failed to point out that the only thing keeping Lauer from kneeling down and removing Davis' eyeballs through his Urethra was the prescence of the Latters wife.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Was Lauer really Bey's co-host? I didn't know that.

[hobbes1]

yeah...lol

[Behind Liberal Lines]

And, in the end, it all comes back to the City of Evil.

It appears that one of the low level producers at the "Today Show," Tammy Filler, is a graduate of....yep... Ithaca College.

[bvw]

I like Rumsfeld. Delay. A few other straight talkers.

Otherwise the play is DEMs and RINOs who spin and lie, nondescriptatrons who say nothing with a lot or words, and GOP Regulars who want to be able to speak to the unwashed less words than the Sphinx let out over the last millenium.

The market has to desire it. Only the rarest can speak straight and get anywhere close to party circles of either party.

[Soaring Feather]

I know someone who gets out of bed five days a week to watch this crap. I will not watch any "talk show." Can't stand the fawning taking place.

City of Evil bump