Weekend Talk Show *Preview* for 7/15 and 7/16/2006 (not the live thread)

Network and Cable News Networks | 7-15-06 | Network and Cable News

[Phsstpok]

I'm trying yet another format change this week.  I have left the background links on the entry for each guest for each show, like last week, but I've broken the Sunday shows out into separate posts to try to make each one more easy to read and discuss.  The Saturday shows will still be posted as one message, then I'll do the ping.  Please me know if this works.

And I've put my (expanded) witty commentary here instead of in the ping...

The most interesting guest this week should be Secretary Rice, who is on Fox, CBS and ABC, but she probably won't provide much of substance because she has to be very "circumspect and diplomatic."  I don't think she should have to be that way and hope she will continue the administrations "throw down" approach, but that's the way the job has evolved.  She's the "good cop."  Therefore the administration's "red meat" will likely be delivered by Dan Bartlett, on CNN Late Edition. Bartlett seems to be shaping up as a major resource and I think that's part of the new Tony Snow directed communications strategy.  Bartlett is currently with the President for the G8 summit in Russia and is giving interviews where he stakes out the current hard line on what's happening, particularly blaming "the Arabs" for the problems in the Middle East.  It appears they may be thinking the recent "mister nice guy" approach has emboldened our adversaries.  And the Time cover this last week probably pissed off the President.

There will be some discussion of the G8 summit, but that will be largely drowned out by the breaking news of the war.  Watch for shots about the summit failing because everyone else is lined up against Bush and the Israelis.  Iran is playing exactly the same cards that Saddam did before 2003 and succeeding with exactly the same players.  They have the added advantage of harnessing the resurgent and virulent hatred of Jews and Israeli's in particular, especially in old Europe.

There might be something delivered from the administration via Newt Gingrich on Meet The Press, because Newt gives them "plausible deniability" as an outsider and he has a long history with Tony Snow. However, I don't think he'd be willing to play "bomb thrower" or even to float any trial balloons for the White House at this point in his quest for credibility on his way to '08.  Regardless of whether he takes any hints from Tony Snow, Newt will likely have some very interesting and probably well thought out insights, particularly providing the true historical context of the conflict(s).  It will also be very interesting to compare and contrast Newt Gingrich and Joe "sheets" Biden in their appearance on Meet The Press.  I wonder if Biden will make a remark about how the bombing in Mumbai will give 7-11 a problem recruiting employees?  Richard Haass, President of the CFR, used to be a Bush administration official, but I don't think he was a Bush insider as much as part of the old guard from Bush '41.  He was a principle advisor to Colin Powell before leaving for the CFR job in 2003, so you can draw your inferences from that.  The tenor of the articles I found by and about him makes me think that is an accurate characterization, but he could provide surprises.

CNN Late Edition is stacked up with what appears to be an overwhelming pro-Jihad and anti-"Zionist" anti-White House slant on the panel.  Trent Lott will probably be his usual "stab them in the back" self, providing Wolf with some prime sound bites that will be played all week on CNN, particularly CNN International.  Based on his public statements about the current fighting I would say that the Syrian ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha, has the perfect first name.  I will be very interested to see if Faoud Adjami is critical or supportive of the current US stance and I fully expect him to be attacked for his views supporting our actions in Iraq.  I don't often watch Late Edition, preferring to read the transcript, but plan to watch this week in order to see the interview with the Shuttle astronauts.  Some of the images from this mission have been the most spectacular I've ever seen.

Clearly the opening salvos of what looks like a regional war will dominate the discussions, but there is too much happening too quickly for any reasoned debate.  There will be a lot of shouting, however.  They also will get into discussions about Wilson/Plame, most likely in their roundtable segments.  MTP will make "leakgate" a major topic via an almost certainly hostile interview with Bob Novak.  Watch for Timmah to get all hunched up the way he does when he's attacking Bush administration officials or those he perceives as friendly to them.  Discussion of the fall elections and the 2008 Presidential race will likely come from each side trying to frame these current issues through their own partisan lenses.  Therefore the dominant meme the shows appear to be pushing is that all of the current crises in the Middle East, North Korea and elsewhere must be seen as the direct result of failed Bush policies, particularly the war in Iraq.  More importantly we must be taught that all that went before (the glorious and idyllic days of Clinton, "between the Bushes") were perfect and the result of fabulously successful and enlightened policies.  Just ask the drive by media, they'll tell you, ad nauseam (and expect you to believe them).  Oh, and the Democrats may be totally in disarray and not have a brain in their heads, but it's obvious to everyone (in the media) that they're going to win in November... isn't it?

[Phsstpok]

Saturday shows first, then the Sunday shows as individual posts

Preview of the Saturday Shows for 7/15/06

The Beltway Boys (Mort Kondrake, Fred Barnes)

• Meme:
  • If Bush had only listened to us he would have been so much better off (by going right... no left...not right... not left...)
• Topics:
  • Mideast meltdown: Is Iran trying to turn this week's violence into a regional war? We'll outline the nightmare scenario
  • President Bush and Russian President Putin's rocky relationship at the G8 summit
• Beltway Boys contact information beltway@foxnews.com
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6 and 11:30 p.m. ET

CNBC's Tim Russert Show (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • All hail the drive by media, particularly the NY Times, the old media network news shows and especially MSNBC's Keith Olberman!  Boo Yah!!!!!
• Topics:
  • New York Times’ Bill Carter on his book, “Desperate Networks”
• Guests
  • Bill Carter, New York Times reporter
    • NY Times Fluff Piece On Olbermann Has No Mention Of Actual Ratings (NewsBusters - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Maybe Olbermann Should Thank Bush (mediabistro.com, NY - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Karl Rove Beats the Press (theOneRepublic, CA - Jul 11, 2006)
    • How Hard Should CBS News And Other Outlets Hit Back At Critics? (CBS News - Jul 12, 2006)
    • NYT Hypes Olbermann (National Review Online Blogs, NY - Jul 11, 2006)
• CNBC's Tim Russert Show airs Saturday at 7pm, 10pm & 1am ET

Fox News Watch (Eric Burns)

• Meme:
  • The President's problems are all his own fault... even the ones we (the drive by media) created from the whole cloth....
• Topics:
  • Has President Bush been "reshaped" by the media?
  • Crisis in the Middle East. Have the media already taken sides in the conflict?
  • The headbutt heard 'round the world
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. ET and Sundays at 2:30 a.m. ET
• Fox News Watch contact information Newswatch@foxnews.com

Journal Editorial Report (Paul Gigot) - FNC show page

• Meme:
  • And now, the adults (the Wall Street Journal editorial staff and friends) will quietly explain everything you really need to know about the middle east, supply side economics and the reason the New York Times should be prosecuted for treason... all in 30 minutes... at 11 PM Eastern... when so many people are watching...
• Topics:
  • A Two-Front War - Tune in for a discussion on the law and politics of indicting journalists and more.
  • Paul Gigot and Wall Street Journal editors explore who and what are behind Israel's two-front war in the Middle East.
  • What's causing the record rush of tax revenues to the U.S. Treasury?
  • An interview with Gabriel Schoenfeld, of Commentary magazine, on the law and politics of indicting journalists for disclosing national-security secrets.
• Guests
  • Gabriel Schoenfeld, of Commentary magazine
    • All the News That's Fit to Prosecute (The Weekly Standard - Jul 7, 2006)
    • It’s Fish or Cut Bait Time, Mr. Attorney General (American Thinker, AZ - Jun 24, 2006)
    • Trying to stifle what you know (Wilmington Morning Star, NC - Jul 12, 2006)
    • 'Conservatives' Condemn Freedom of the Press (Antiwar.com, CA - Jul 2, 2006)
    • Has the 'Gray Lady' turned Bush yellow? (Contra Costa Times, CA - Jul 2, 2006)
    • Tough talk on Korea, too late (Los Angeles Times, CA - Jun 23, 2006)
• Journal Editorial Report (at Fox News) contact information - jer@foxnews.com
• The program is from The Wall Street Journal and airs on FNC Saturday at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. and again Sunday at 6 a.m. ET

[Phsstpok]

ABC This Week preview for 7/16/06 (George Stephanopoulos)

• Meme:
  • Things are really bad now (pay attention, we're telling you what to think here), but remember just how good (we told you they were) under Clinton?
  • We've been spending all this time and money on the War on Terror over there, but we should be spending the money here! (just look how well we managed the Big Dig!)
• Topics:
  • Brewing tensions in the Middle East
  • The continuing terror threat and the U.S. response
• Guests
  • Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
    • Biography of Dr. Condoleezza Rice (White House web site)
    • Rice Calls for Israeli Restraint (Voice of America - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Premier Saniora Urges for Ceasefire in Conversation with Rice (Naharnet, Lebanon - Jul 14, 2006)
    • UN Security Council in emergency meeting on Middle East (North Korea Times - Jul 14, 2006)
    • President Abbas threatened Condoleezza Rice to dissolve the PA, in Response to her Pressure on Behalf of Israel (Al-Jazeerah.info - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice calls Iranian response disappointing (Ottawa Recorder, Canada - Jul 12, 2006)
    • CONDOLEEZZA RICE: Discussing US-Pakistan Relations (noticias.info - Spain - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Rice condemns blasts; Putin dazed (Moneycontrol.com, India - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice to visit Asia this month (Xinhua, China - Jul 14, 2006)
    • US secretary of state to tour Vietnam for closer ties (People's Daily Online - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright
    • Bio (State Department archive from Clinton administration listing)
    • Undiplomatic diplomacy (IsraPundit, Canada - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Appeasement - Iraq's Tangled Skein (RedState, VA - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Time for a Korea Change for Kim Jong-il (Human Events, DC - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Former Governor Thomas Kean
    • 9/11 Commissioner co-chair
    • Bio (from 9/11 Commission web site)
    • The L Word (National Review Online, NY - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Both Sides Of Times Battle Seem Keen On Kean (CBS News - Jun 29, 2006)
    • If the Left Weren't Hypocritical (FrontPage magazine.com, CA - Jul 6, 2006)
    • Another View: Security through people (Statesman Journal, Oregon - Jun 29, 2006)
    • Iraq Linked to Terrorism? Who knew?! (WEBCommentary - Jun 17, 2006)
  • Former Senator Lee Hamilton, 9/11 Commissioner
    • 9/11 Commissioner co-chair
    • Bio (from 9/11 Commission web site)
    • "Why Can't We Get Osama bin Laden?," Asks 9/11 Commission Vice Chair Lee Hamilton (DePauw University, Indiana - Jul 9, 2006)
    • What will it take to improve the dialogue of democracy? (Carroll County Comet, IN - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Indiana leads in ‘terror’ targets (Shelbyville News, IN - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Leading Bipartisan Group of Statesmen Agree: Cutting UN Funding Would Impede Much Needed Reforms (U.S. Newswire (press release), DC - Jun 23, 2006)
    • American security experts ask US to pay UN dues (Monsters and Critics.com, UK - Jun 23, 2006)
  • Roundtable
    • Sam Donaldson
    • Cokie Roberts
    • George Will
• ABC This Week comment web page

[Phsstpok]

CBS Face The Nation  preview for 7/16/06 (Bob Schieffer)

• Meme:
  • Things are really bad now (pay attention, we're telling you what to think here), Bush has messed up ALL of our relationships with our good friends and allies... like France and Russia...
  • We've been spending all this time and money on the War on Terror over there, but we should be spending the money here! (just look how well we managed the Big Dig!)
• Topics:
  • Escalating Tensions In The Middle East
• Guests
  • Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
    • Biography of Dr. Condoleezza Rice (White House web site)
    • Rice Calls for Israeli Restraint (Voice of America - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Premier Saniora Urges for Ceasefire in Conversation with Rice (Naharnet, Lebanon - Jul 14, 2006)
    • UN Security Council in emergency meeting on Middle East (North Korea Times - Jul 14, 2006)
    • President Abbas threatened Condoleezza Rice to dissolve the PA, in Response to her Pressure on Behalf of Israel (Al-Jazeerah.info - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice calls Iranian response disappointing (Ottawa Recorder, Canada - Jul 12, 2006)
    • CONDOLEEZZA RICE: Discussing US-Pakistan Relations (noticias.info - Spain - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Rice condemns blasts; Putin dazed (Moneycontrol.com, India - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice to visit Asia this month (Xinhua, China - Jul 14, 2006)
    • US secretary of state to tour Vietnam for closer ties (People's Daily Online - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Richard Haass
    • Council on Foreign Relations President
    • Background (via CFR)
    • War Set To Intrude on the G8 Summit (New York Sun, NY - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Regional War Feared in Mideast (Council on Foreign Relations, New York - Jul 14, 2006)
    • The global threat: It isn't 'warming' (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA - Jul 9, 2006)
    • Bush Faces a World of Crises (Combined Jewish Philantropies, MA - Jul 7, 2006)
    • The challenge of unilateralism (Asia Times Online, Hong Kong - Jun 30, 2006)
    • Countries Split over Pyongyang Missile Tests (Council on Foreign Relations, New York - Jul 6, 2006)
    • Has a Familiar Ring (Wall Street Journal - Jun 12, 2006)
  • Representative Jane Harman (Democrat -California)
    • Member select Intelligence Committee
    • House web site | Bio
    • Chris Matthews Covers Dem. Jane Harman's Rear End on Iraq (New York Observer, NY - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Bush Will Allow Court to Review NSA Wiretaps (New York Times - Jul 14, 2006)
    • A better way forward on security? (TPMCafe, NY - Jul 14, 2006)
    • This Week On America Abroad (TPMCafe, NY - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Jane Harman: Military Not Succeeding in Iraq (NewsMax.com, FL - Jun 11, 2006)
    • Harman's Republican-Like Security Focus Riles Fellow Democrats (Bloomberg - Jun 29, 2006)
    • Iraq Pre-War Intel Being Ignored, Says Top Republican (CNSNews.com, VA - Jul 12, 2006)
    • The Accused (New Republic, D.C. - Jul 12, 2006)
• Face The Nation contact information - ftn@cbsnews.com

[Phsstpok]

NBC Meet The Press  preview for 7/16/06 (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • Joe Biden wants to be President... the DBM asks that you pay no attention to he racist remarks he recently made...
  • Newt Gingrich wants to be President ... the DBM asks that you please associate him with all of the racist remarks that Joe Biden recently made...
  • Robert Novak must be discredited... all else is unimportant to the drive by media and their overlords
• Topics:
  • Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) will share their views on
    • the recent violence in the Middle East
    • the foreign policy hot spots of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea
    • the upcoming election season
  • Robert Novak, the journalist at the center of the CIA leak case that led to the indictment of Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, explains his role
• Guests
  • Joe Biden (D-DE)
    • Ranking (minority) member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Sen. Joe Biden Chided for 'Racist' Remark (NewsMax.com, FL - Jul 7, 2006)
    • Joe Biden's gone off the reservation (Canada Free Press, Canada - Jul 7, 2006)
    • Did Senator Joe Biden Put His Foot In His Mouth? (WMDT, MD - Jul 7, 2006)
    • Sen. Joe Biden Commits Racial Slur, Where's the Outrage? (NewsBusters - Jul 7, 2006)
    • Sen. Joe Biden: North Korea a 'Paper Tiger' (NewsMax.com, FL - Jul 5, 2006)
    • Comment: he's baaaaaack - bet they don't ask him about 7-11 stores
  • Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA)
    • Web site | Bio
    • COGITO ERGO SUM NEWT (New Republic, D.C. - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Newt Gingrich announces he is forming a movement to create a second Contract (RedState, VA - Jul 10, 2006)
    • Path paved for Newt Gingrich to take White House (The Olympian, WA - Jun 29, 2006)
    • Could Newt Gingrich Be the Big Winner of 2006 (Bloomberg - Jun 12, 2006)
  • Robert Novak
    • TownHall.COM column archive | Bio
    • Joe Wilson’s Response To Robert Novak Column (Collective Bellaciao, France - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Robert Novak Breaks His Silence (FOX News - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Transcript: Robert Novak Breaks His Silence About the CIA Leak (FOX News - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Robert Novak About to Come Clean on Plame Case? (Editor & Publisher - Jul 11, 2006)
• What would you like to ask this week's guests? (web page for submitting questions for this weeks show)
• Meet the Press mailbox (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

CNN Late Edition  preview for 7/16/06 (Wolf Blitzer)

• Meme:
  • Things are really bad now (pay attention, we're telling you what to think here), Bush has messed up ALL of our relationships with our good friends and allies... like France and Russia...
  • Please listen to the voices of those who hate America and Israel... the true constituency of CNN... they have much to tell us...
• Topics:
  • Violence erupts in the Mideast. What is the next step for Israel?
  • The role of the United States in the Middle East.
• Guests
  • Dan Bartlett
    • White House counselor
    • Bio
    • Dan Bartlett Stumped When Asked to Name Anyone ‘Calling for the White Flag of Surrender’ (Think Progress, DC - Jun 22, 2006)
    • Bush to press Israel to spare civilians (Houston Chronicle, United States - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Press Gaggle by Dan Bartlett (Whitehouse.gov (press release), DC - Jun 12, 2006)
    • Change of Tack Has Bush Taking Local Angles (New York Sun, NY - Jul 7, 2006)
  • Shimon Peres
    • Israeli vice premier
    • Bio
    • Humiliated Israel pounds its foes (Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Peres Calls on the Lebanese Government to Act (Arutz Sheva, Israel - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Israeli vice premier says attack on Palestinian prime minister a "clear warning" (Israel Insider, Israel - Jul 2, 2006)
    • 'Dead king walking' (Ha'aretz, Israel - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Israel intends to continue talks with Palestine – Shimon Peres (ITAR-TASS, Russia - Jun 17, 2006)
    • Shimon Peres urges "economic peace" with Palestinians (Interfax Russia, Russia - Jun 17, 2006)
  • Imad Moustapha
    • Syrian ambassador to the United States
    • Web site | Bio
    • Israel's Presumptive Reprisals (OpEdNews - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Israeli Ambassador, US Turn Blame On Iran, Syria (Playfuls.com, Romania - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Syrian envoy asks US to impose restraint on Israel (Reuters - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Israeli warplanes hit Beirut suburb (CNN - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Settler's body believed found (CNN International - Jun 28, 2006)
  • Senator Trent Lott (Republican - Mississippi)
    • Member Select Intelligence Committee
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Lott: Plan to revamp FEMA would aid disaster response (KLFY, LA - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Trent Lott may want leader`s job back (Monsters and Critics.com, UK - Jun 30, 2006)
    • Talk of Trent Lott returning to Senate leadership grows (Raw Story, MA - Jun 29, 2006)
    • Trent Lott/William Jefferson - A Double Standard (NewsByUs, ID - Jun 17, 2006)
  • Senator Dianne Feinstein (Democrat - California)
    • Member Select Intelligence Committee
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Raise fuel economy standards now (Washington Times, DC - Jul 1, 2006)
    • Offshore drilling compromise proposed, Cal officials opposed (CBS 47, CA - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Dianne Feinstein's Phased Pandering: A Euphemism for Cut-and-Run (National Ledger, AZ - Jun 20, 2006)
    • Specter Touts Deal on Eavesdropping Review (Guardian Unlimited, UK - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Sometimes the French Are Right (Los Angeles Times, CA - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Dr. Mowaffak al-Rubaie
    • Iraqi national security adviser
    • The Iraqi Civil Conflict: Another Reason for Bringing the Troops Home (Foreign Policy In Focus - Jul 12, 2006)
    • The Case For Withdrawal (Virginia Tech Collegiate Times Online Edition, VA - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Iraq: al-Rubaie lays out road map for US troop withdrawals (Questions and Observations - Jun 20, 2006)
    • Iraqi Reconciliation Plan Releases 450 Prisoners (All Headline News - Jun 28, 2006)
  • Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri
    • Pakistan's foreign minister
    • Bio (via Wikipedia)
    • Kasuri misquoted on Mumbai blasts: Pak (NDTV.com, India - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice With Pakistan FM Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri (Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand - Jul 10, 2006)
    • No progress in Pak, India relations possible without headway on Kashmir: Kasuri (Pakistan Link, CA - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Islamabad, Tehran enjoy good friendly relations: Kasuri (Online - International News Network, Pakistan - Jul 7, 2006)
    • Al Qaeda link to Kashmir worries India (International Herald Tribune, France - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Pakistan again raises nuclear deal, but finds US cold (India eNews.com, India - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Kasuri in Paris (Online - International News Network, Pakistan - Jul 5, 2006)
  • Fouad Ajami
    • Professor of Middle East studies, Johns Hopkins University
    • Author, "The Foreigner's Gift"
    • Background (via CFR)
    • Author Fouad Ajami Says US-Led Invasion of Iraq Was A Noble War (Voice of America - Jun 28, 2006)
    • Holding Islam Accountable (New York Sun, NY - Jun 28, 2006)
    • Mirages Within Mirages (Standard-Speaker, PA - Jun 14, 2006)
    • The Extremist Is Never Alone (Opinion Journal, NJ - Jun 24, 2006)
    • Shiism’s Waxing Crescent (Council on Foreign Relations, New York - Jun 16, 2006)
  • The Astronauts of space shuttle Discovery
• CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

Fox News Sunday preview for 7/16/06 (Chris Wallace)

• Meme:
  • Are things really as bad as they seem to be (as the drive by media is telling us)?
  • George Allen wants to be President - the fact that he's being given air time on Fox without Webb must mean they think he's going to win
  • Chis Dodd wants to be President - the  fact that he's being given air time on Fox must mean that he's really a joke
• Topics:
  • Is President Bush's foreign policy being undercut by realities on the ground?
  • Comment: could they phrase that any more insultingly?
• Guests
  • Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
    • Biography of Dr. Condoleezza Rice (White House web site)
    • Rice Calls for Israeli Restraint (Voice of America - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Premier Saniora Urges for Ceasefire in Conversation with Rice (Naharnet, Lebanon - Jul 14, 2006)
    • UN Security Council in emergency meeting on Middle East (North Korea Times - Jul 14, 2006)
    • President Abbas threatened Condoleezza Rice to dissolve the PA, in Response to her Pressure on Behalf of Israel (Al-Jazeerah.info - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice calls Iranian response disappointing (Ottawa Recorder, Canada - Jul 12, 2006)
    • CONDOLEEZZA RICE: Discussing US-Pakistan Relations (noticias.info - Spain - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Rice condemns blasts; Putin dazed (Moneycontrol.com, India - Jul 12, 2006)
    • Rice to visit Asia this month (Xinhua, China - Jul 14, 2006)
    • US secretary of state to tour Vietnam for closer ties (People's Daily Online - Jul 14, 2006)
  • Senator George Allen (Republican - Virginia)
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Allen Holds Huge Cash Advantage Over Webb (WJLA, DC - Jul 14, 2006)
    • DNC: George Allen's Hypocrisy on Tax Cuts (noticias.info, Spain - Jul 11, 2006)
    • Re: George Allen goes to Gitmo (National Review Online Blogs, NY - Jul 11, 2006)
    • George Allen Gets Ready To Play The "Hitler" Card Versus Jim Webb (Huffington Post, NY - Jul 7, 2006)
  • Senator Chris Dodd (Democrat - Connecticut)
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Is Dodd Next White House Hopeful? (CBS News - Jul 14, 2006)
    • Connecticut AFL-CIO aims to change America (People's Weekly World - Jul 13, 2006)
    • Dodd's First '08ish Trip (National Journal, DC - Jul 11, 2006)
  • Philippe Cousteau
    • Bio
    • president of Earth Echo International
• Fox News Sunday contact information - FNS@foxnews.com

[Phsstpok]

Ping

The Weekend Preview Thread is up

If you would like on or off my ping list please Freepmail me

See the initial post for my "usual witty commentary"

[Peach]

Excellent job as usual, Phsstpok. The only thing I can add is it's likely the media will replay the clip of the president saying to the press, in front of Putin, that he wishes Russia had an Iraqi style democracy.

Putin responded that he's very glad they don't have an Iraqi style democracy.

The press laughed and actually clapped with glee.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Excellent work -- very informative.

I would rather read your pre-analysis than watch; the participants are too predictable for my taste.

[defconw]

Well done!

[Txsleuth]

Aw ..jeez, really?

That happened?? Putin is just like Specter...he pretends to be an "ally" to a certain extent...but delights in sticking it to Bush.

I saw a really interesting segment the other night (can't remember the network)..about the man that is planning on running for Putin's job...

He has movie star good looks...BUT, Putin will NOT let any of the Russian TV stations show him on TV AT ALL...he supposedly relaxed that edict for this weekend, the G-8 Summit...but that is all.

I didn't hear the whole interview, so I don't know his "stance" on things...but, I would guess that if Putin is not letting him have any airtime..it is pretty much NOT to Putin's liking.

[Peach]

I didn't know that Putin was controlling the television there as much as that; that's quite interesting.

Some days I wish we could do that with our media when they lie and spin :-)

Really - the president should not have said that he wished anyone had Iraqi style democracy since it's still so new and not terribly functioning right now. But Putin could have handled it with more grace instead of the cheap shot.

[Txsleuth]

Terrific thread, Phsstpok...

I know you have been working hard on this...I pinged you to the Middle East Thread last night...thinking you might get "show prep" for what WE the Freepers have on our minds..

in order to compare it with what the networks actually talk about tomorrow.

I also pinged PrinceofCups to that thread this morning..to see what he is hearing from the news over there..so far, haven't gotten a reply.

Hopefully, we can coax him onto the Sunday Talk thread tomorrow for his take.

Will be back later...busy, busy thread day.

Valerie and Joe must be desolate that their big presser yesterday..to announce their lawsuit has been pretty much disregarded because of an actual WAR in the Middle East...LOL

[Txsleuth]

I think that Bush is proud of what has happened in Iraq so far...rightfully so, IMHO>

However, like you said...he might not want to say what he said...it could be years, (if ever) that they actually start getting the hang of this whole "democracy" thing.

Especially considering their "automatice" response to this Israel/Lebanon thing...they just knee-jerk blast Israel...when Hezbollah is doing to Israel...what the insurgents are doing to the Iraqi citizens.

[Phsstpok]

The posts are now up at http://wizards.townhall.com/

[Phsstpok]

I saw the ping last night but was in the middle of composing the thread and didn't realize you were pointing me to something to add here. I hadn't looked at that thread till this morning and, your right, it is certainly worth adding to the preview as a lot of the comments likely address things that will be discussed on the shows.

7/14: Middle East Live Thread (Posted on 07/14/2006 8:08:50 PM CDT by BurbankKarl)

Excellent background, analysis, photos and links there.

[Txsleuth]

Great..thanks for the link to wizards.

[MNJohnnie]

but she probably won't provide much of substance because she has to be very "circumspect and diplomatic." I don't think she should have to be that way and hope she will continue the administrations "throw down" approach

The reason she is being that way is because the Bush Admin is basically playing a stalling game. They are keeping all the various nervous nellies in the US Congress and various foreign Govt talking about "process". Thus while Israel cleans house, Bush is covering their backs See your average Leftists thinks if they talk about a problem they are "doing something". That why the Clinton's always had meets and made plans but never actually DID anything about Terrorism. They figured they were doing something since they talked about it! Bush is merely using this weakness against them.

[Peach]

I think he's proud of Iraq too, and so am I. But I wouldn't be suggesting that another country model themselves after Iraq yet. It's too early and too destabilized.

[Txsleuth]

Boy are you right...

Remember Kerry, during the 2004 campaign?

He was always talking about convening "summits"...blech