Katie Lobs Softballs to Kerry as Ketchup Boy Accuses Pres. Bush of "Arrogant" Foreign Policy

The Today Show

[governsleastgovernsbest]

On the day that Ketchup Boy John Kerry is set to "announce" his candidacy using an aircraft carrier as a backdrop (did I mention he served in the military?), the Today Show did what it could to prop up the faltering Democrat with a respectful interview by Katie Couric.

Katie was forced to allude to Kerry's collapse in the polls, cautiously inquiring whether he agreed that his campaign needs reenergizing

Kerry gave a typical politician's non-answer answer, ignoring the question and launching into a canned spiel about helping Americans to understand that we need to do what's right for our country. "Pres. Bush is moving the country in wrong direction."

He then accused President Bush of having a foreign policy that is "arrogant" [he made the identical charge later in the interview, clearly this is a major theme for him.] Kerry also contended that at home "we could do better in getting people back to work."

Katie then mournfully cited the facts that "you used to be the frontrunner, now you're 21 points behind Dean in NH and you're in third place in Iowa."

Kerry gave an answer that was almost comical. Know why he is so far behind? "We haven't advertised on TV." Sure, that's how Dean built his lead, with all those TV commercials he has (not) been running.

Kerry pompously proclaimed that "now is when the campaign really starts." Right, the American people would have no idea that Kerry was running until they see him standing in front of an aircraft carrier (say, did you know he's a veteran?)

Kerry returned to the foreign policy beat: "Pres. rushed to war in Iraq, and we don't have plan to win peace." Yes, if only we had left it to the UN, Saddam would surely have thrown up his hands and fled into exile.

Katie then politely inquired: "What is your plan for winning the peace?"

Surprise! Kerry wants to get "other countries" and the UN involved. "The Pres. made an unbelievably bad decision not to bring UN in earlier. We need to take the target off US soldiers and reduce the sense of US occupation."

Q. Why do you think your military experience in Vietnam is so important?

A. The Presidency is not a place for on-the-job training (take that, Dean-o!). Foreign affairs can be the most important part of job. The Pres's foreign policy is arrogant and blustery. We have ignored N. Korea and other trouble areas.

Q. Some strategists say if Wesley Clark enters race you'll no longer have the corner on military experience. Does that bother you?

A. No that would be fine, he's a fine man. We have to do other things - focus on the economy. Medicare, prescription drugs, jobs. I have a long record of fighting for people, fighting for what is right.

Q. Dems seem deflated at notion anyone can beat Pres. Bush, particularly given his huge fundraising advantage.

A. I don't agree. The American people are incredibly smart. They are paying more taxes that before Pres. Bush, that they are not getting ahead. Wealthy Americans are getting the lion's share of the tax cut and most of the privileges.

He then added "I am going to provide health care to every American." [Guess Teresa has decided to write a check afterall. Oh wait, *he's* not really providing it, he's going to tax us to pay for other people's health care. Sorry, my misunderstanding.]

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Nothing earth-shattering, just a typical politician's spiel. To a certain extent, that was probably Kerry's goal. He wants to portray himself as solid, normal, "presidential," subtly drawing the comparison with the rabid, over-the-top Dean.

What was most striking perhaps was the subdued, respectful tone adopted by Katie. It wasn't the passionate embrace reserved for Katie's faves like Hillary, and after all, Kerry does have the whiff of a loser about him. But Katie never sought to rough him up in the least.

And while she asked some horse race questions, she never drilled him on the shortcomings of his policy proposals. Just how does he intend, for example, to pay for the proposal by which "he" will "give" health care to every American.

Compare the tone of the interview with the snarling, rude and interruptive approach that Katie pinch hitter Ann Curry adopted in her interview yesterday with Bush administration Sec. of Labor Elaine Chao.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Let's face it: Katie probably stays at Kerry's place when she heads up to the Vineyard. This wasn't an intereview, it was a gab session between two old friends.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show ping.

[Welsh Rabbit]

Katie Lobs Softballs to Kerry

I wouldn't expect anything less of her...

[goldstategop]

Perky Katie's love-in with Jean F. Cheri. How surprising!

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I'm assuming the "F" stands for Francois.

Pardonnez-moi monsieur, but do you have any Grey Poupon?

[At _War_With_Liberals]

"We have ignored N. Korea and other trouble areas. "

Then why did they come to the multilateral table this weekend?


7:45

Katie just indirectly called the US fund for 9-11 families 'bloodmoney' and implied that the govt is discouraging them from suing for self serving reasons.

[Diogenesis]

Katie: NASA indicates that more dust is moving into the Solar system.
Do you agree with us that this is solely President Bush's fault?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Along with *free* health care, Kerry will be giving every American a free cosmic dust protector.

Oh, and by the way, as Al Gore first pointed out, the intrusion of cosmic dust is a result of global warming, which was intentionally triggered by Bush I to profit the Carlyle Group.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

"Softballs" would be an improvement over Kerry's current condition.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Everybody think sea gull......maybe he'll get lucky. haha

[Puppage]

Katie: "Senator Kerry,if you were a color...which one would you be"?

Kerry: "Why, RED of course".

[PGalt]

Both their poll numbers should be below zero. These 2 negatives deserve it.

[harpu]

Did she ask the Senator why..."Kerry voted five times to tax Social Security Benefits, voting to raise the tax on senior citizens' Social Security benefits affecting seniors making as little as $34,000, and voted three times against repealing Social Security tax hike."?

Hmmmm...probably not!

[evad]

The American people are incredibly smart

Boy..that's the best one yet.

The American person is smart..
when you group them together as "people", they're as gullible as it gets.

Katsup boy knows this is the only chance he's got.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I know you're question was a rhetorical one, but it really does make an important point.

There was absolutely no questioning of Kerry on the substance of any of his proposals or claims, just a placid acceptance of the notion, e.g., that he was going to "give all Americans health care", without a word as to how he was going to pay for it.

[Brilliant]

When you are at war, arrogance is a virtue.

[MEG33]

I'm always fearful of complacency about 2004 but I cannot get my fear factor worked up over Kerry!Oh my golly..I just took the leap to turn on Katie and this interview is on now.Kerry is not ringing my bell.Class warfare and health care for all.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

"When you are at war, arrogance is a virtue."

Good point. General Patton surely was an arrogant SOB, wasn't he? Would Kerry intend to be a President in the cowering Carter-the-bed-wetter mold?

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Glad you mentioned the class warfare aspect of Kerry's shtick. While Kerry didn't highlight it, he made sure to slip it in, whining about the majority of tax cuts going to "wealthy Americans" and how they got the lion's share of "the privileges."