Katie Couric's ridiculous interview of Dean w/ Rough Transcript

[qanda]

Katie Couric tried to challenge him that Democrats received Jack Ambramoff money. Howard Dean stood his ground and Ms. Couric said, "Well, we'll have to look into that." I cannot believe how ridiculous she was in that interview.

I had to throw together a rough transcript of this.

Obviously as we have just heard in Kelly O’Donnell’s report, this week the Bush Administration has been on the offensive, defending what it now terms a quote “Terrorist Surveillance Program”, at every opportunity. And about half of Americans support the efforts to listen in on conversations between Al Qaeda suspects and those in the United States. If this potentially stops another terrorist attack like September 11, why not give the White House some latitude on this?


Dean:

We support the idea, Democrats support the idea, that we ought to spy on terrorists. And we support the idea that we need to eavesdrop from time to time, but we also believe that the President ought to obey the law. The law says that if you have an emergency reason to spy on Americans that you can go ahead and do it, but you’ve got to justify it with the courts afterwards. We don’t think this President, who has a habit of putting himself above the law, ought to be able to do this when he’s spying on Americans. This is not simply listening to Al Qaeda, it’s poking around into people’s private lives in order to see if they’re doing anything wrong.

Couric: (Talking over Gov. Dean)

Have you seen any evidence, Gov. Dean? Have you seen any evidence that this is happening? That the administration is somehow poking into the lives, private lives, of Americans?

Dean:

Of course they are. You can’t tell who’s a terrorist and who’s not until you tap their phone. (More explanation)

Couric:

At the same, perception is everything, and some of your opponents believe that this is yet another example showing the Democrats are sort of soft on defense and not as vigilant as they should be in the war against terrorism. Why has this become such a poisonous partisan issue? In other words, no one wants to see another terrorist attack, so why can’t both sides get together and figure this out instead of throwing mud at each other on a daily basis. Don’t you think the American people are tired of that?

Dean:

We don’t think insisting that the President obey the law is throwing mud, first of all. And secondly, the President isn’t interested in hearing from anybody else. (More)

Couric:

Well, you know a lot of people are saying that the Democratic Party, at this point, criticizes all and literally stands for nothing. Even James Carville and Paul Begala, I mean you can’t find two more hardcore Democrats than that, in their book Take It Back, wrote that the Democrats need a backbone and a spinal transplant. So, what do you think, in 30 seconds, the Democratic Party stands for at this point in time.

Dean:

1. American jobs to stay in America.
2. A strong national defense.
3. Honesty and integrity restored to government
4. A healthcare system that works for everyone, just like they have in 36 other countries.
5. A strong public education system.

(I refuse to waste my time writing out the next questions, which were about Hillary Clinton)

However, Couric’s question about Hillary’s plantation remark led to this response from Gov. Dean.

The other thing is the corruption scandals in Congress. Tom DeLay, all these folks involved in getting money, all of whom are Republicans from Jack Abramoff.

Couric: (Talking over Gov. Dean)

Hey!!!!! Wait a second. Democrats, Democrats took money from Jack Abramoff too Mr. Dean (At this point she is smiling and shaking her head)

Dean: (Raising his voice slightly)

That is absolutely false! That did not happen! Not one dime of money from Jack Abramoff went to any Democrat at any time.

Couric: (Again talking over Dean)

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Abramoff and his associates gave $3 million to Republicans and $1.5 million to Democrats, including the Senate minority leader, Harry Reid.

Dean (Taking his turn to talk over Couric)

Katie, not one dime! Not one dime of Jack Abramoff money ever went to any Democrat and we can show you the FEC reports. We’d be very happy to do it. There’s a lot of stuff in the press that the Republican National Committee has been spinning that this is a bipartisan scandal. It is a Republican financed scandal and not one dime of money from Jack Abramoff ever went to any Democrat. Not one dime!

Couric

Well, we’ll obviously have to look into that and clarify that for our viewers at a later date.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. She is getting more and more ridiculous as the days go on...

Whatever happened to researching one's questions before one asks them? Howard has an excellent way of making people look asinine, and I LOVE him for it. :hi:

[rfranklin]

9. she reads off a Teleprompter...you can't expect her to actually...

look up anything, she is a STAR after all!

[derby378]

45. And the teleprompter was programmed by Karl Rove, too

Don't be evil, Katie...

[Cobalt Violet]

11. She gave him that " I have to be right , I'm Katie Couric" look.

:puke: You could see the disdain she has for Democrats.

[linazelle]

92. Proposed letter writing campaign: re: "I'll have to look into that..."

We should all send Couric a letter asking what the results were of her investigation into Dean's assertion that the FEC found that no Dems took Jack-off's money. Not only that, but ask her/NBC when they plan to clarify the facts they find to remove the distortions that continue to be painted by Tim Russert, Couric and other news programs.

[Lorien]

97. I'm in; do we have her email address?

on edit: I see that we have [e-mail] , but is there anything more direct?

[linazelle]

101. That's the right address. Here's my blurb...

During Katie Couric’s recent interview with Howard Dean, she falsely stated that Democratic representatives took money from Jack Ambramoff.

She cited a poll from the Center for Responsive Politics as her source. Howard Dean refuted the assertion with findings from the FEC and Couric stated “we’ll have to look into this.”

Well?

Did you at NBC and the Today Show "look into" it? What did you find? When will you present those findings to your viewers?

Everybody makes mistakes, but errors in the broadcast business influence millions—millions who might form negative opinions of a republican party and those associated with that party such as NBC and GE.

While you may benefit in the short term by letting this false, biased information stand, in the long run it is NBC, not the democrats who will be associated with republican crime and scandal.

Choose the high road NBC. Tell the truth—and apologize, profusely and often.

[FreedomAngel82]

99. Yep

No wonder republicans call him "crazy" because he makes them look crazy other wise. :) I just love Dean. He is the perfect chairman.

[Jeanette in FL]

2. Haven't watched the Today show in years

But it still amazes me how damn lazy these shows are. Just a few minutes of research would have shown her that Dems took no money from Abramoff. Just spouting off the talking points of the administration.

[ScreamingMeemie]

4. Steven Colbert is doing an excellent satirical take on all of this.

He's doing the different Districts and questioning each and every Rep about taking money from Abramoff, using doctored photos and such...It's hysterical and VERY pointed. :hi:

[Supersedeas]

104. Anyway to get out the message

[killbotfactory]

3. maybe she should have looked into before the interview?

maybe?

[LizW]

65. Yeah, where has she been? At the hair stylist?

Dean made this point over two weeks ago on Meet the Press. He's made it over and over since then. The distinction between taking money from Abramoff and from the tribes has been made many times.

This has to be intentional. She can't be that uninformed or stupid.

[Cha]

94. And to think that Tom Werner

was her on-again-off-again boyfriend for years. Tom Werner is the head of Casey/Werner productions and he spoke at the rally in Manchester, New Hampshire that I attended for John Kerry on Nov 2, 2004!

[xchrom]

5. how many times -- on how many different ''news shows'' does he

have to repeat this -- and how many times do the reporters have to say ''Well, we'll have to look into that."?

lol -- these reporters are idiots.

[Cobalt Violet]

7. They don't listen.

Same with the Dems. don't stand for anything issue.

[MelissaB]

8. Evidently he needs to be on daily to counter all the spin.

Katie even talked about mudslinging and implied the Democrats were throwing mud with the NSA scandle. :puke:

[Cobalt Violet]

12. She didn't quite seem to grasp that * broke the LAW.

Thick headed.

[lostnfound]

24. Bought off is more like it. nt

[Cobalt Violet]

6. I saw it.

She is just awful. Every thing out of her yap is a right wing talking point. I hate her and that stupid show so much.

Dean was great. He gave her 5 things the Dems. stand for. But that won't stop her from saying we stand for nothing. They don't listen to us.

[MelissaB]

10. People really need to see the clip to believe this on.

I've never see Katie be so obvious.

[mattclearing]

73. I was cracking up watching this. Dean just demolished her.

She looked like a total idiot.

[Cha]

95. That wouldn't be hard to do

at the rate she's been going down hill but I'm glad Dean was there to do it!

[underpants]

84. VIDEO 3/13 here

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/

[ClintonTyree]

13. Katie should stick to..........

showing the viewing audience her colon, it's the only thing that's not fake about her.

[Cobalt Violet]

14. Oh, come on! She's good at flirting with male guests 1/2 her age...

Or younger. :puke:

[Glimmer of Hope]

15. She should stick to segments like the one she is doing now.

"Best Pants for Your Behind!"

[peekaloo]

28. LOL! I was about to say the one that followed: Sexy gals lovin'

ugly guys.

Her "cushion" seems to be a tad padded these days.

[KSLeftyMom]

Hey that segment was very helpful! LOL

n/m

[KSLeftyMom]

85. Hey that segment was very helpful! LOL

n/m

[Cassandra]

17. And showing off her legs...

and her very expensive Jimmy Choo shoes.

[RandiFan1290]

16. Dean should put his foot down

and tell these chumps that it is time for them to do their jobs and stop repeating gop talking points as fact.

Does anyone actually think she will look into it and report the truth?

:argh:

[Cobalt Violet]

19. No she will just look into spewing more right-wing talking points.

Maybe she should be next to boycott after Mathews.

[RandiFan1290]

21. Right on!!

I've already started.

:patriot: :)

[AX10]

105. I'm begining to think that we should boycott NBC.

Though a boycott of The Today Show would be a good start.

[Sperk]

18. Shouldn't she "have looked into that" BEFORE she accused the

dems? What a liar.

[bunkerbuster1]

20. Ms. Couric, meet the WaPo ombudsman...

don't these people read, like, ANYTHING?

[dweller]

22. face it ... today's news commentators

are cheap and vulgar comedians (track the amount of time they spend laughing at their own remarks) and don't have a clue to what the public WANTS to hear.

abc this morning played a quick vintage clip of Cronkite reporting on the Jeffrey MacDonald case ... his voice was riveting compared to the tripe spewed by today's squawking heads.

dp

[izzybeans]

23. Leatherface bobblehead of the year award

will presented to Couric at a later date.

I swear either her face is melting off or someone has sewed the skins of small animals on her vacant skull to replace her face.

[cyberpj]

25. And this (plus email address):

"So, what do you think, in 30 seconds, the Democratic Party stands for at this point in time."

First, ask one of the most important questions and give them man 30 seconds to answer.
Second, ask it as if it's an ever-changing ideal that changes with every "point in time".

Time to write on this one.
[e-mail]

[cyberpj]

30. My email:

Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 08:30:06 -0500
To: [e-mail]
From: xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Couric's ridiculous Dean interview


Many of us are getting pretty tired of the Lauer and Couric allegiance to White House spin on everything they discuss.

Regarding Couric's interview with Dean this morning:

So, what do you think, in 30 seconds, the Democratic Party stands for at this point in time?
- First, ask one of the most important questions and give them man 30 seconds to answer.
- Second, ask it as if it's an ever-changing ideal that changes with every "point in time".

And then the standard Republican accusation regarding Abramoff that he spread his money to Democrats as well. GOOD research would prove that wrong - that the man himself only supported, bribed and fed Republicans. Any Democratic funds were received directly from the tribes themselves and not Abramoff's offices.

So when Ms. Couric says, "Well, we’ll obviously have to look into that and clarify that for our viewers at a later date." - wouldn't it be nice if you actually researched before declaring instead of quoting someone else's research -- AND won't it be fun to see if Today and Ms Couric actually DO "clarify that for viewers".

Sincerely,
xxxxxxxxxx
Hockessin, DE, USA

[lostnfound]

26. "we'll look into that" = "you're a liar"; would NEVER be said to GOP guy

unless it was a GOP guy who had broken ranks with Bush

[chat_noir]

27. email

[e-mail]

Can't add anything because I didn't watch.

Is this your email signature (courtesy of another DUer):

NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice, and certainly without probable cause. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President.

[Reader Rabbit]

39. My Email to the Kate-ster

I have to say that I was more than a bit appalled by Ms. Couric's interview of Howard Dean. It was shockingly unprofessional. When a journalist makes an on-air accusation—particularly one of such magnitude and far-reaching consequences, he or she should definitely have all the facts at hand, triple-checked. To lob an accusation and then to have no answer to the refutation except "we'll have to look into that?" Any teenager working for his or her high school newspaper could point out the myriad ways that such behavior is sloppy journalism.

If Ms. Couric hadn't already "looked into that," where was the justification for this accusation? Any person can take what others say at face value. Journalists, however, have the responsibility to look beyond what is being said. As the fourth estate which is supposed to play an integral role in our democracy, they have the responsibility to the public to dig deeper and present all the facts, and not just spin.

If Ms. Couric wishes to "look into" this matter adequately, I suggest she check the records of which Dr. Dean spoke. Or she could simply sift through the information at OpenSecrets.org, where she will find that all contributions made by Mr. Abramoff and his wife went to Republicans. She might further investigate the K Street Project, an organization in which Mr. Abramoff was a key player, the sole purpose of which is to ensure Republican supremacy in American politics.

It is true that many of Mr. Abramoff's clients, particularly Indian Tribes, gave money to both Democrats and Republicans. But a little investigation will show that although Tribes have traditionally donated more to Democrats, those represented by Abramoff, for some reason, donated more to Republicans. In fact, many of these tribes changed their donation habits upon hiring Mr. Abramoff.

I'm looking forward to Ms. Couric's update on this subject once she has "looked into" the matter. As a professional journalist, I expect it of her. Thank you for your time.

[Donailin]

46. bottom fucking line:

the republican party which is corrupt to the bone has totally screwed up everything they touch in terms of security, has made life more difficult for the middle class and working poor and are proven liars and yet -- AND YET!! -- the media still interviews the democrats as though we're the bad guys.

It galls me to no end.

[Cha]

98. Thanks! And Most Welcome

to DU! :toast:

[ScreamingMeemie]

29. I sent my email to Katie...telling her I'm waiting for clarification...

sooner, better than later. :hi:

[free4now]

33. He should have asked her

How many GOP parties she has been to this year and how many Democratic functions.:pals:

Can see her in full uniform

[ScreamingMeemie]

35. Welcome to DU, free!

:hi: :toast: :pals:

[free4now]

49. Thanks

Actually been here 2 yrs lurking daily, decided to post today.

Ill go down with you all rather than stay and kiss anyones butt.

:grouphug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

61. Glad you came out of lurkdom.

I believe things are getting better in the world. I truly do.

[niceypoo]

31. It amazes me what level "news" has degenerated to

I find it hard to believe that they repeat such charges without even doing basic research into it first. Kudos to Howard Dean for forcing them to look at it. We need to pressure her into sticking to her word and clarifying/appologizing for what she said.

[underpants]

34. Gee do you think they should have looked into that BEFORE

they got on the national airwaves spouting RNC talking points...oh maybe they did.

[AzDar]

32. In these troubled and bizarro times, I actually watch 'The Daily Show'

to obtain news info. A friggin' COMEDY show is more legitimate than ANY Corporate News Channel's pre-scripted schlock.
Paging Walter Cronkite.....

[elehhhhna]

36. Snitty uninformed spokesmodel. I can't watch her, she's

become a caricature of herself in the last several years. She's phoney and her ever-changing hair & atrociously over applied makeup are too distracting.

[chat_noir]

37. The Right's cheerleader

[underpants]

38. qanda-I checked out the Center for Repsonsive Politics website (MUST SEE)

Detail by DONOR
Abramoff, Jack A & Pamela

http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor_chart.asp?Name=Abramoff%2C+Jack+A+%26+Pamela
http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_donor.asp?Name=Abramoff%2C+Jack+A+%26+Pamela


Okay here is some other stuff. First link MUST be what Couric was talking about.


Contributions by Receipient-Total Order
http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_recips.asp?sort=R

Contribution summary
http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff.asp

[LizW]

71. That chart seems to make an assumption

It assumes that donations from the Indian tribes that hired Abramoff were the same as donations made directly by him.

I don't think that is a valid assumption because clearly the Indian tribes were donating to Democrats before they even hired Abramoff. In fact that page says they had to revise their chart because it included tribal donation made before Abramoff ever registered as a lobbyist. They took those out, but they are still assuming that Abramoff directed all the tribes donations once he was hired by them, and that is not true.

We know that is not the case because of Abramoff's e-mails where he and his associate complain about the tribes giving to Democrats, saying "I wish they would be smarter about their donations."

I'm sure the Republicans are carpeting the press with this chart, but it is misleading.

[PRETZEL]

40. I saw it also

but the simple fact is that Dean could have blown that whole argument out of the water in a matter of seconds by simply stating that the money received by the Dems were from the groups that were represented by Abramoff. Those contributions are perfectly legal. The Dems took no personal money of Abramoff. As far as I know that is the true nature of the Abramoff donations.

[Cobalt Violet]

52. Dean did blow her out of the water. She doesn't listen.

She didn't want to hear any of it. She likes the taste of the Koolaid. Beside all her friends drink Koolaid too.

[Mythsaje]

41. Flashback to SNL

"Katie, you ignorant slut."

[oc2002]

59. Now thats fitting!

add, you stupid OLD slut.

[Donailin]

42. saw it. can't stand her

an uninformed bimbo or a apparatchik of the right. or both.

what really makes sense though is that NBC continues to operate as though the majority of americans want FOX lite for breakfast.

[mopaul]

43. wow, katie's a nazi bitch! whooda thunkit?

[Cassandra]

70. Well, Anne Coulter did call her...

Eva Braun.

[dweller]

44. NAVY SEALS ROCK!

:eyes:

dp

[Esse Quam Videri]

47. Dean wiped the floor with

her whoring bushco ass. She looked stunned after Dean was able to rattle off the 5 principles the Democratic party stands for. Hats off to Gov. Dean. He made me very proud this morning. For all of you on the west coast I suggest you tune in for the smack down and then of course turn off NBC once it is done.

[PittLib]

48. Quite frankly they all annoy me ...

and the show is drivel apparently geared toward ADD afflicted, but otherwise bored housewives. They hop from segment to segment (most of which are about trivial garbage anyway) with such speed, that by the time you figure out what the hell they're doing, it's over. Most of the hosts (Katie and Matt, in particular) love to hear themselves talk so much that they take away from the guest and the very point of the segment. I think they should shit-can Katie from doing any real interviews (other than with vapid celebrities)and allow someone who believes that there is more to journalistic integrity than simply talking tough. She looks like such an ass. I'm glad that they occasionally have some fresh blood on there - Natalie Morales and Campbell Brown (?) make the show almost tolerable. I have to turn it off periodically. If I had cable - I wouldn't watch at all ... but "Barney and Friends", infomercials and freaky televangelists are about the only options.

I criticized their handling of the Michael Moore interview ... I think I'll do so again.

[underpants]

54. I don't know if this really means anything but

Campbell Brown is engaged to Dan Senor...yes THAT Dan Senor



http://www.whitehouse.gov/government/senor-bio.html
Dan Senor
Advisor to the U.S. Presidential Envoy in Iraq

[PittLib]

74. I don't know if it means anything either ...

I don't care what personal views these people have, as long as they are indiscernible to the viewer. These particular do women do not get much air time, but they seem more class that ego - unlike the overpaid hacks, Matt and Katie.

[PittLib]

77. Here's my e-mail:

To whom it may concern -

I find Ms. Couric's "interview style" (I'm being polite) to be absolutely appalling. Interviews with politically and/or culturally significant figures (no, Tom Cruise does not count) and actual news coverage are the only justifiable reason to watch this 3-hour circus of the otherwise trivial and superficial. If I had the humiliating task of interviewing "beauties & geeks" in the same hour as Howard Dean (or having to discuss "scientific butt-flattering" for that matter) ... I'd cling to whatever shred of journalistic credibility I could manage as well. However, the line between asking hard questions and acting like a hard ass is not so fine.

I believe that a decent interviewer should:
1) be as interested in the answers as they are in the questions
2) demonstrate the requisite objectivity
3) have a firm command of the facts
and
4) treat their guest with a modicum of respect.

Ms. Couric fails miserably on all counts. Since when is it appropriate to interrupt and repeatedly talk over your guest or fling unfounded accusations? While I understand that she is deemed worthy of a ridiculous sum of money, and therefore entitled to interview the people who might actually be of interest - perhaps her ego needs a reality check. I'll give Ms. Couric the benefit of the doubt and assume that she is simply overcompensating, though I highly suspect she feels either morally superior or just loves the sound of her own voice. Whatever the reason, I've been disgusted by numerous interviews and I will not be watching the Today any longer. I would like to suggest, in the interest of holding onto your more cerebral viewers, that you spare them the condescension, arrogance and smugness of Ms. Couric, and find someone with true credibility and integrity to conduct such interviews.

Sincerely,

PittLib
Pittsburgh, PA

[Nikki Stone 1]

50. Katie should stick to recipes and botox treatments.

She's got no journalistic chops and wouldn't know the right questions to ask if she had a brain transplant.

[TheFarseer]

51. and according to my dad, she's the most liberal

of the liberal. These folks just aren't happy. If anyone deviates from the conservative rhetoric on any issue, even once, they are a liberal!

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

55. I heard that from my auto mechanic the other day, and I told him that it

just wasn't true. I told him she was the mouthpiece for her boss, GE, and had to preserve the war machine.

[WernhamHogg]

53. Has she been taking lessions

Has she been taking lessions from Ann Coulter? Throw in a few death threats, racial slurs, man hands and an adams apple and Katie Couric would BE Coulter.

[jeanarrett]

56. I listened to that dumb bitch this morning and now I hate her

even more than I used to. I just e-mailed her and suggested that SHE get a spinal transplant and do some research and report some news, not just what her handlers tell her to say.

[oc2002]

60. she is trying to save her job, now that she is an old PRUNE.

she knows her days are numbered once they find another hot brainless blond with big boobies.

[postulater]

100. Does she have big boobies? OOOOOh, now I'll have to watch!

[spanone]

57. No Katie, when it comes to law, perception is not EVERYTHING.

But I suppose it is when your 'news mentality' is the fucking Today Show.

[oc2002]

58. Couric is a TOOL, and she is not even a hotie but an old PRUNE.

she lost her looks,and lost her cuteness a long time ago.

she does not have any clue of what she is talking about.

so why is she doing interviews?

[ChoralScholar]

80. Isn't she being courted by one of the big network nightly news programs?

I remember hearing something similar. CBS, maybe?

[Beetwasher]

62. What A Stupid Fucking Gasbag

n/t

[Kazak]

63. She's awful!

:puke:

[bunkerbuster1]

64. My wingnut co-worker insists that Couric is "left wing"

He got this notion from somewhere; probably a radio douche like Hannijob or Neal Boortz.

Has someone at GE been pressuring Couric to stick it to Dean and other liberals, in order to appear unbiased? Just wondering.

[otohara]

91. Typical RW Mantra re: Media

such and old and tired mantra - unfortunately still works for many.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

66. Carville and Begala "hard core Democrats"? Bwahahahhahaha.

Yeah. And, marshmallows make good hammers.

[underpants]

67. I caught that too

I could feel the BS coming at that point

[JHB]

78. But they were Crossfire Liberals! And Clinton advisers!

How can you get more "hard core Democrat" than that?



For those who can't detect it, the above is :sarcasm:

[Justitia]

87. LOL - so true! I nearly fell outta my chair - "hardcore dems"??? LOL nt

[Cobalt Violet]

68. She needs to "clarify that for our viewers" @ 7:00 am tomorrow.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[Cassandra]

69. My email to the Today show

This morning, while interviewing DNC Chairman, Governor Howard Dean, Ms. Couric insisted that Abramoff gave money to Democrats; essentially repeating a lie being spread by Republicans. This makes no objective sense. Abramoff has been a Republican operative, and apparently a bagman, for some 25 years. What motive would he have for donating or directing donations to Democrats, whom he hates? In addition, FEC filings are readily available and I expect the Today Show to be able to do basic research and see, additionally, that Indian tribes have traditionally given to Democrats and that the influence Abramoff had he used to steer money away from Democrats and towards Republicans. I used to watch the Today Show every morning but over the last few years I have found it nearly impossible to stomach. The sneering, nasty interviews with Democrats and the corresponding fawning softball interviews with Republicans, no matter how right-wing they are, have become more than I can stand. Only the news that Mr. Dean would be on had me watch at all. If I have to wait for GE to stop putting their war profits before truthful news reporting, I suppose it's going to be a long wait for a decent show. It is truly sad for me to see that both Ms. Couric and Mr. Lauer have become shills; I used to trust them to bring me truthful news.

[JudyM]

76. Great email! n/t

[goodboy]

72. WHy doesn't she and Matt just get down on their knees and kiss

Chimpy's ass?

[JHB]

75. ..."and his associates"...

And just who defined who Abramoff's "associates" were in this context?

CRP seems to be taking a bit of a cop-out position:
"Was Mr. Abramoff responsible for the tribes making all of the contributions now listed?
We have no way to determine whether Mr. Abramoff or his associates suggested or directed that each campaign contribution listed be made. There are simply limits to the conclusions one can draw based on lobbying reports and reports filed with the Federal Election Commission." (http://www.capitaleye.org/abramoff_faq.asp)

However, one CAN compare donation patterns before and after Abramoff was employed by these clients, and see if there was a marked change in terms of party (and individuals) receiving their donations. That would seem to me to be only prudent before counting a person or group as an "associate" of Abramoff in terms of the distribution of these funds.

[Justitia]

89. pics w/Bush make him an "associate" of JackA too! -eom

[Chiyo-chichi]

79. To watch the clip...

go here: http://video.msn.com/v/us/v.htm?
In the "MSN Video Search" Box, enter "Howard Dean."
There ya go.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

83. I have broadband and it took about 15 minutes to finally watch and it was

WORTH every minute of it! Dean has Katie left with mud on her simpering face.

[SammyWinstonJack]

81. Just making sure her 15 million dollar/yr salary is protected.

:puke:

[Straight Shooter]

82. "You know, a lot of people are saying that the Democratic party ..."

What people, Katie? The people who program your mental software?

[madfloridian]

86. Here is the video clip link from Think Progress.

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/01/26/couric-caught-on-tape/

[tex-wyo-dem]

88. Shows like "Today" are the epitome of what's wrong with the "news" media..

All show and very little substance...

Their "beautiful people" talking heads know absolutely nothing about what they're talking about...as long as they can read a teleprompter, look pretty and give ridiculous expressions (a la "Daily Show" parody), that's all that matters. No real fact checking, just regurgitate RNC talking points.

It's just entertainment, anyway...right? :sarcasm:

[JHB]

90. Once upon a time, such "breakfast shows" were hosted by actors...

...and didn't pretend to be more than the equivalents of "Regis & Kelly". They might read selected bits of the morning paper out loud, but at least they didn't pretend to be reporters themselves.

[Bridget Burke]

96. And Katie is filling the role originated by J Fred Muggs.

But not very well.

[Roland99]

93. What a ****!!!

If there were ever a time that that forbidden word would be allowed up here, this is one!!

[ronnie624]

102. "Well, we'll have to look into that and clarify

that for our viewers at a later date."

What a deceitful, dissembling wretch. She knows damned well what he said is true. Thats why she said "Abramoff and his associates..."- a disinformation tactic that is technically accurate but at the same time misleading.

How I hate propagandists.

[balzac]

103. Katie Couric's live televised colonoscopy was worse

Really, this isn't the worst things she's done to us. She just had to share her live colonoscopy with America, right when everyone is eating breakfast.

Shame on you Katie Couric! No more live colonoscopy on national television!