Hey - I got an email response from Meet the Press

[pinkpops]

Thanks for your interest in "Meet the Press." Today's interview was recorded Saturday "live-to-tape" - no editing of content. As is the case with all of our interviews, the President was not given any questions beforehand.

Most sincerely,


Betsy Fischer
Executive Producer
NBC News/Meet the Press

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. Then what were the questions he rehearsed

with a stand in before the taped interview?

[Eric J in MN]

probable questions. It wasn't a surprise that Russert asked

Probable questions. It wasn't a surprise that Russert asked about AWOL, Iraq, and the economy.

Though I was surprised that Russert was tougher in how he phrased those questions than I was expecting.

[joeybee12]

2. Yeah, no questions beforehand, but I'm sure a lot of groundrules were

worked out--pretty much the same (almost) as getting the questions in advance.

Keep the e-mail--just in case it comes out that Dumbo did get the questions prior from Helmet Head--great way to embarrass them later!

[Rebellious Republican]

3. Gee, you must be special, they never replied to mine. N/T

:kick:

[dweller]

4. Write Betsy back and ask

then if the WH gave MTP the 'approved questions list' beforehand.

might get a better answer.
dp

[pinkpops]

6. interesting thought ...

[donco6]

5. But even we knew what the questions were going to be.

I mean, really. What else were they going to ask about? Economy, Iraq, AWOL, OBL, 911

What I want to know is why Russert couldn't (wouldn't?) press with follow up questions.

[thedudeingeorgia]

7. Follow up questions....

The reason Russert didn't ask any follow up questions is simply he was constantly interrupted by Bush's speaking points....did you notice that every time he answered a question, he would always interrupt Russert's attempt to ask a follow up question with the same talking points....

[pinkpops]

8. That's what I thought.

[buycitgo]

10. Russert:

Mr., uh, "pResident;" would you please close your ignorant, lying cakehole, in order that I may ask my next obsequious question? I promise there will be no followup, so you don't have to prattle quite so emabarrassingly.

[notadmblnd]

11. I did notice that..

and then he took the question cuts off follow up and changes/rephrases the question into one he wants, and then gives the incoherent answer.

[Terwilliger]

9. ohhhhhh puh-LEEEEZ

Da me Un BREAK!

[polmaven]

12. That is probably true!

Russert did not give the president the questions beforehand....Russert was given the questions beforehand by Rove!

[revcarol]

13. Some said they edited out the long pause/stuttering episode.

Was in a promo clip, before.