Katie Couric Favorably Compares Arnold's Reaction to Clinton's

MRC ^ | 5pm EDT, Saturday October 4, 2003 | BrentBaker

[fight_truth_decay]

Friday's Today featured a session with the woman who remembered being touched once by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1975, E. Laine Stockton, and feminist lawyer Gloria Allred, but Today's Katie Couric, in a very surprising question, favorably compared Schwarzenegger's reaction to charges of sexual impropriety with how Clinton reacted and how Democrats then said sexual activity didn't matter.

Couric pressed California Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein: "He has admitted to bad behavior, which is more than President Clinton did when he was faced with similar allegations, at least right away. Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger has handled this well, and what about Democrats who say someone's personal behavior really doesn't have anything to do with their professional capabilities as many said in the case of Bill Clinton?"

Couric began the segment with Feinstein on the October 3 Today, MRC analyst Ken Shepherd observed, by cuing her up on the groping allegations against Schwarzenegger: "How serious in your view, are these allegations?"

After Feinstein raised the Nazi quote, Couric wondered: "What kind of impact do you think all of this will have at the polls?"

But next, Couric challenged Feinstein with this refreshing question from the right: "Let me ask you another question, if I may, about these allegations of sexual misconduct against Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has admitted to bad behavior, which is more than President Clinton did when he was faced with similar allegations, at least right away. Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger has handled this well, and what about Democrats who say someone's personal behavior really doesn't have anything to do with their professional capabilities as many said in the case of Bill Clinton?" Feinstein replied: "Well, I don't necessarily agree with that. I think your personal behavior does affect you in public office. People look at people in public office, believe it or not, as role models. What they do, the good they do in their life, the kind of person they are, the kind of representation they give to the people. We are a representative government. And, so, I think this does affect it. I was deeply impacted by President Clinton. He knows it. I know it. I like to believe and hope that we elect the best among us, not some of the least among us."

Couric followed up: "I know that you dismiss the notion that this was all politics as some people in the Schwarzenegger campaign have said. But don't you agree, Senator Feinstein, that the timing of these allegations is rather suspicious, and it does smack of dirty politics?"

[fight_truth_decay]

Couric said, "But don't you agree, Senator Feinstein, that the timing of these allegations is rather suspicious, and it does smack of dirty politics?"

But, from where did the "Nazi admiration" or the "groping" of E. Laine Stockton and Colete Brooks stories originate? ABC's Linda Douglass reported, "there is no evidence that Democrats planted the stories about Schwarzenegger's alleged groping of women or past statements he might have made admiring remarks about Hitler."

Brooks made her allegations at a press conference organized and surrounded by Democratic activists, including moveon.org., kicking off more anti- Schwarzenegger TV ads, an important part of the story ignored by CBS and NBC.

"Politics makes for Strange Bedfellows, and I have been in a lot of beds..." -Scipio, son of Flora.

I allege he's not the only one.

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[cardinal4]

Couric said, "But don't you agree, Senator Feinstein, that the timing of these allegations is rather suspicious, and it does smack of dirty politics?"

OK, what have they done with the real Couric??

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Katie only wishes someone would grope her, too.

[Vis Numar]

I think maybe the initial timing was coordinated, sure. However, look at the most recent 4 to come forward, read this crap-- it sure doesn't look made up by these women to me. If Arnold dropped out right now, Tom might have a shot.

[MEG33]

Think...Maria Shriver?Could this be the reason for Katie's balanced approach?

[EggsAckley]

ping

[Sam Cree]

I'm not sure what the Democrats are thinking.
Are you now supposed to say to a woman something like "may I handle your breast?"

I would suppose that, when circumstances seem to dictate it, such as during a romantic interlude, that the preferred procedure would be to go ahead and grab, and then pay attention to the response.

[ArneFufkin]

Excellent point.

[OldFriend]

In my personal opinion, they are giving Arnold a break on the groping issue because the Kennedy's have gone ballistic over the false nazi sympathizer charges.

Until that came up the Kennedy clan was too happy to see Arnold go down in flames on the womanizing charges.

[Dave S]

Katie only wishes someone would grope her, too.

Need a volunteer?

[org.whodat]

look at the most recent 4

I have seen some of them and back in the seventy's you would have needed to pay me to grope them.

"HELL HAS NO FURY LIKE A WOMAN SCORNED"

[MEG33]

Little Katie will,having been a good little Kennedy follower,have first dibs on a baba wawa type interview with the Governor's first lady!

[NittanyLion]

But next, Couric challenged Feinstein with this refreshing question from the right: "Let me ask you another question, if I may, about these allegations of sexual misconduct against Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has admitted to bad behavior, which is more than President Clinton did when he was faced with similar allegations, at least right away. Do you think Arnold Schwarzenegger has handled this well, and what about Democrats who say someone's personal behavior really doesn't have anything to do with their professional capabilities as many said in the case of Bill Clinton?"

No, that's still a question from the left. The difference is now that it's used to defend "our guy" few see anything wrong with it.

There are a lot of folks on this site who have devalued any claim the GOP has to being the party of moral propriety.

[fqued]

If Arnold dropped out right now, Tom might have a shot.

Yes, and if Tom and Arnold and Cruz dropped out right now, the stripper might have a shot.

The biggest word in the world: IF . . .

[Paulie]

"Think...Maria Shriver?Could this be the reason for Katie's balanced approach?"

Quite possibly. On the other hand it could be that couric is one of those women who continue "having relations" with AS, and is therefore loathe to criticize, lest her shennanagans be discovered.

[Ditto]

In my personal opinion, they are giving Arnold a break on the groping issue because the Kennedy's have gone ballistic over the false nazi sympathizer charges.

Back in the 30s, Papa Joe thought Hitler was an OK kind of guy and said so often. Bringing up Hitler stuff is touchy for the Kennedy Klan.

[Arrowhead1952]

Katie only wishes someone would grope her, too.

OH BARF on perky!! It would take me weeks to get that slime off my hands if I groped her. I can't imagine getting my hands that dirty.

[MEG33]

Oh,my..I may have to get our my foil hat on that one!

[Dialup Llama]

>In my personal opinion, they are giving Arnold a break on the groping issue because the Kennedy's have gone ballistic over the false nazi sympathizer charges.

Because Arnold's false nazi sympathizing charges might lead some to look at Joe Kennedey's actualy nazi sympathizing.

[fight_truth_decay]

That was my guess.

[.cnI redruM]

I've been amazed at some of the people the Dems have pissed off. First Susan Estrich and now Katie Couric. That takes effort to make Katie Couric lok like she has a soul.

[jps098]

Everybody has this wrong. He's accused of groping a Nazi. Yea, that's it.

[DoctorZIn]

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[NittanyLion]

I've been amazed at some of the people the Dems have pissed off. First Susan Estrich and now Katie Couric. That takes effort to make Katie Couric look like she has a soul.

What's truly astounding is that, here on FreeRepublic, I've never seen anyone claim that Estrich or Couric were right - EVER. Now, suddenly, these two have had a change of heart and are making sense...

The people supporting Estrich and Couric's comments need to ask themselves whether Estrich/Couric have changed, or whether their own views have.

[Bubba_Leroy]

Katie Couric has a soul. She just doesn't own it anymore. Hitlary has it in her collection, along with those of all of the other media whores whose souls Hitlary has acquired over the years.

[Skip Ripley]

Rumor has it that Katie and Maria do not like each other at all, so I doubt it.

[bray]

Everybody has this wrong. He's accused of groping a Nazi. Yea, that's it.

Don't give the LA Crimes any ideas. Tuesdays Headline "Arnold Groped Adolf Hitler" Read it in the Crimes!

Pray for GW and the Truth

[MEG33]

Another brilliant observation destroyed?....;)

[.cnI redruM]

In a sense, Estrich has been consistent. She defended Bill against impeachment, so she would have looked pathetic suddenly developing such an intrest in the groping habits of leading politicians. However, she could have maintained a discreet silence or quietly mentioned her displeasure. A full editorial in The LA Times was above and beyond what she had to do.

Couric has proven a shrill Dem partisan who hypes every Bush scandal that comes down the pike. She would have seemed like a natural to sit there w/ Sen Fienstien and harp about how much of a brute Ahnold was. Again, her efforts to derail the smear were totally unsolicited and not even in her own best career intrest. That's why it took me by surprise.

[chiefqc]

She's crusty's secret lover.

[fight_truth_decay]

Past balance: Couric Tags Arnold as Nazi’s Son, Then Condemns “Dirty” Tactics

Monday August 11, 2003, Katie Couric certainly has chutzpah. On Thursday’s Today, beating Democratic operatives to the punch, Couric reminded viewers of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “baggage,” from “smoking marijuana” to being “the son of a Nazi Party member” to “allegations” that he’s “sexually harassed women and committed infidelity.” But on Monday morning, she dared to scold Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Simon as she cited a newspaper report about how a Simon strategist promised to spotlight “the actor's raunchy past and liberal social views.” Couric then demanded: “How dirty will you get?"

[Carolinamom]

The Kennedy are probably afraid that the story of Joe Kennedy admired Hitler so much that he was recalled from his London ambassordorship at the beginning of WWII. Old Joe was also known for his Hollywood philandering with actress Gloria Swanson if memory serves.

[MEG33]

That's the Katie we all know and love to hate!

[cyncooper]

sure doesn't look made up by these women to me.

Really?

I'm just getting caught up on news here out west, but I just heard on Fox News Channel that Schwarzenegger DENIES the "latest" charges.

Um, would that be the charges you are referring to and profess sound not made up?

[Polybius]

What's truly astounding is that, here on FreeRepublic, I've never seen anyone claim that Estrich or Couric were right - EVER. Now, suddenly, these two have had a change of heart and are making sense... The people supporting Estrich and Couric's comments need to ask themselves whether Estrich/Couric have changed, or whether their own views have.

No change is necessary on anybody's part.

As humans are imperfect beings, it is impossible for any man or woman to always be 100% wrong even if they try to to be.

I am sure everone on Free Republic would wholeheartedly support the following position but cringe at having to agree with who it is quoted from:

"Pederasty and sexual offenses against children are punishable by law in this State, no matter who commits such crimes."

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Bad! Bad chiefqc! Make RBA have mental image that cause nausea! bad chiefqc!

[Brian Allen]

<< If Arnold dropped out right now, Tom might have a shot. >>

And if one of my aunts had balls, I'd have another uncle.

[Not to mention that Tom's DEMOCRepublicRAT-Machine's Bustemental-boostin' boys are quite likely the ones who DROPPED the poo on Arnold in the first place -- just to get DNC dupes to vote for Tom and elect Mexico City's boy in Sacreemeento, Cruz.

[af_vet_1981]

OK, what have they done with the real Couric??

"She'll be back ...

[MeekOneGOP]

[scott7278]

"Oh,my..I may have to get our my foil hat on that one!"

Do you have one I could borrow? I can't believe that was said!

[BushisTheMan]

The REAL Couric has realized that another morning news show has taken over the No. 1 spot in the ratings, a place that Couric's news show has held for several years. And her handlers are "very aware" of why her popularity has dropped. As we here at Free Republic and other internet sites continue to point out her bias, her popularity drops. She is no longer "perky Katie"; she has "perked out".

[Aegedius]

Don't be too quick to assume that Couric has suddenly grown a brain. I suspect that Couric provided the questions to Feinstein's staff, in advance, and asked if Feinstein would be able to concoct and answer.

[af_vet_1981]

I submit she did it for another reason, sympathy for
Maria Shriver, and knowing that this is indeed "gutter politics" and "gutter journalism." I don't doubt she will tout the party line in the 2004 campaigns though. Still she deserves a couple of pennies for one tough question to Feinstein.

[Free_at_last_-2001]

OK, what have they done with the real Couric?? - good question, maybe there's something going on between them?

[pankot]

Katie made sense? Surely something is wrong here--perhaps the End is near?

[woofie]

Perkiness is bad for ones mental health

[Robert_Paulson2]

We know who is behind this.
We know who stands to gain from this.
We know who is going to win this.

they could accuse arnold of "doing" captain kangaroo on the steps of the state supreme court on sunday morning and it would do nothing but raise Arnold's vote count.

desperation is not pretty, no matter who is experiencing it, be it dufus', cruze's or even tom's.

Arnold IS the governor.
Too late... we are just going through the motions now.

[PLMerite]

"...it could be that couric is one of those women who continue "having relations" with AS, and is therefore loathe to criticize, lest her shennanagans be discovered."

Maybe I'm not plugged in enough, but I'm gonna have to ask you to expand on this one. Is it something juicy?

[al baby]

whats the true meanin of if if as in is is