Will Katie Couric be as tough with Barack Obama as North Korean television is with Kim Jong Il? The last time Couric (and the other anchors to, for that matter) interviewed Obama the liberal Democrat had no more to fear from her and them than the communist dictator ever has from his state media.
Pressed at the TV critics session with the networks in Beverly Hills on Friday as to whether ABC, CBS and NBC sending their anchors along with Barack Obama on his overseas trip is “justified or reflect media infatuation with the presumptive Democratic nominee,” the AP's Lynn Elber reported (as did the Washington Post's Lisa de Moraes) CBS News correspondent Jeff Greenfield predicted: “I have a strong hunch the people interviewing Obama will have tough questions. It's not like North Korean television covering (communist leader) Kim Jong Il.” Couric, also appearing via satellite from New York City, promised: “It's not going to be like, 'How do you like the weather in Jordan, Senator?'”
Yet, when Couric last sat down with Obama, back on June 4 when he had become the presumptive nominee, Couric was so giddy she couldn't complete her question: “Did you ever think you'd see this day? I mean, are you still just completely-” Pressing Obama about picking Hillary Clinton as his VP consumed five of her seven questions aired in the CBS Evening News excerpt.
Couric was hardly unique in genuflecting before Obama that night. My June 4 NewsBusters item about the very same three anchors who will interview Obama this coming week, “Anchors Exult: Obama Making History, 'Son of Gun, I've Done This?'” recounted:
The ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts all led Wednesday night with celebratory interviews with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama -- with ABC and NBC plastering "MAKING HISTORY" on screen -- as the three anchors luxuriated in Obama's success. ABC's Charles Gibson wondered: "I'm curious about your feelings last night. It was an historic moment. Has it sunk in yet?" Gibson followed up by prompting Obama to share his excitement: "When everybody clears out, the staff is gone, you're in the hotel room at night, and you're alone, do you say to yourself, 'Son of a gun, I've done this?'" On CBS, Katie Couric was so giddy she couldn't complete her question: "Did you ever think you'd see this day? I mean, are you still just completely-"
Echoing Gibson, NBC's Brian Williams began: "What was it like for you last night, the part we couldn't see, the flight to St. Paul with your wife, knowing what was awaiting?" Williams next cued him up: "And you had to be thinking of your mother and your father." Then Williams excitedly informed Obama of the popularity on the Internet of the "fist pound"with his wife on stage the night before:
"And your wife came up on stage with you last night, and in an otherwise private moment, attempted to give her husband a fist pound the way a lot of Americans do, the way a lot of couples do. Only problem was, it was an inside move shared in front of seventeen and a half thousand people in the arena and millions watching at home. It's the most talked about fist pound on the Internet today, you'll be happy to know."
All three pressed Obama about picking Hillary Clinton as his running mate, with Couric the most aggressive. The topic consumed five of her seven questions aired in the Evening News excerpt, starting with her stroll through history: "In our latest poll, 59 percent of Democratic primary voters, including 46 percent of your voters, think you should select Senator. Clinton to be your running mate. So, in the spirit of Kennedy picking Johnson, and Reagan choosing Bush, why not pick Sen. Clinton? And please don't tell me it's premature to ask that question."
Only Williams posed a question that challenged Obama, an inquiry about McCain's much-greater experience, though from the angle of what he plans to do to overcome that reality: "In an election that, who knows, could turn on national security, how do you go up into a debate on national security with a man with the service record John McCain has from the Academy, to naval aviator, to five plus years as a POW, some in solitary confinement?"...
No doubt Couric, Gibson and Williams will be tougher this coming week if only to show they are not totally in the tank for Obama.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center





The ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts all led Wednesday night with celebratory interviews with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama -- with ABC and NBC plastering "MAKING HISTORY" on screen -- as the three anchors luxuriated in Obama's success. ABC's Charles Gibson wondered: "I'm curious about your feelings last night. It was an historic moment. Has it sunk in yet?" Gibson followed up by prompting Obama to share his excitement: "When everybody clears out, the staff is gone, you're in the hotel room at night, and you're alone, do you say to yourself, 'Son of a gun, I've done this?'" On CBS, Katie Couric was so giddy she couldn't complete her question: "Did you ever think you'd see this day? I mean, are you still just completely-"
















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hahahahahaha
July 19, 2008 - 22:25 ET by bigpapaOH my this is rich...
the MSM is so far up Barracks A$$ that he sees them when he brushes his teeth...
I for one would think that is uncomfortable...
NOBAMA 08 !!!
BigPAPA....Lets start a contest/chain letter...The MSM is ..
July 19, 2008 - 23:00 ET by JayTeeThe MSM is so far up Barracks A$$ they know what he had for Breakfast...
next..
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
They'll know what his
July 19, 2008 - 23:04 ET by bigtimerThey'll know what his answers are going to be before they come out of his mouth...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
oh,,,
July 19, 2008 - 23:12 ET by bigpapaI like that,,, because they probably put them there for him!!!
NOBAMA 08 !!!
Bp...and we all know where
July 19, 2008 - 23:16 ET by bigtimerBp...and we all know where he really speaks from...
(...his arse...for those of you in Rio Linda)
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
absolutely BT
July 19, 2008 - 23:23 ET by bigpapaHis arse his mouth,,,, what's the difference...
"It's good to be the king"
NOBAMA 08 !!!
Bp... Well...I did think
July 19, 2008 - 23:30 ET by bigtimerBp...
Well...I did think of saying they're so far up his arse they have his pet gerbil trained...
...but thought that not PC...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
BT....You're hurting me I'm laughing so Hard...
July 19, 2008 - 23:44 ET by JayTeeTrained Pet Gerbal...ROFLMAO....
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
JT.... well, it's all your
July 19, 2008 - 23:53 ET by bigtimerJT.... well, it's all your fault...you started this all...
I'm laughing too...
correction...Bp started it...you made the suggestions to carry on ect...heck we all need some laughter...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Laughter is most excellent
July 20, 2008 - 00:01 ET by bigpapaEspecially when it isn't far from the truth!!!! How do you train a Gerbil?????? Give him a little cave helment and light??? And then a press pass..
NOBAMA 08 !!!
Your killing me pop!!!....I got one..
July 20, 2008 - 00:04 ET by BEGRUNT"go towards the light"........................
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
It isn't safe in here
July 20, 2008 - 00:20 ET by Cool ArrowThe minah birds are dropping like penguins.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
ok,,,
July 20, 2008 - 00:50 ET by bigpapait took me a while...
but that's bad,,, really bad
NOBAMA 08 !!!
Wow...bt, I step away for a few....
July 20, 2008 - 00:01 ET by BEGRUNTand you got me..ROTFLMAO!!! I wish I got in on the begining.... pet gerbil.....LMAO!!!
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
What would be really
July 20, 2008 - 00:16 ET by bigtimerWhat would be really delicious if on Nov. 4th we can tell him and the msm that are so far up his arse to kiss it good-bye and POOF...they all disappear!!
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
POOF? Poor little gerbil
July 20, 2008 - 15:10 ET by RukusPOOF? Poor little gerbil :(
"Nuke 'em 'til they... oh hell, just shoot 'em!"
Bush needs to Follow up with a Trip to IRAQ - A victory Tour
July 19, 2008 - 22:30 ET by JayTeeBush can blow the Doors off Obama's Trip and Perception ...Bush can meet with more "Grateful" Iraquis and Proud Troops than Obama can rustle up in 20 Trips.
Bush Should Take McCain with him....do some Photo Opportunities for the TROOPS....take some Pictures...the Troops will BLOG the Pictures all over the Internet, and send 'em to Family.
The Alphabet Networks would be in a Quandry...would they Cover a "Victory" tour by the President ? ? I think not, it might eat into the Obama Daily Worship session......but BUSH should make a Visit.....about 2 weeks before the Elections.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
I just can't possibly see
July 19, 2008 - 22:31 ET by bigtimerI just can't possibly see them being any tougher on him than they ever have been..
I will be breathlessly waiting though...
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Thank you Mr. Greenfield...............
July 19, 2008 - 22:57 ET by BEGRUNTCBS News correspondent Jeff Greenfield predicted: “I have a strong hunch the people interviewing Obama will have tough questions. It's not like North Korean television covering (communist leader) Kim Jong Il.”
Really Mr. Geenfield? Thanks for the visual......good comparison by the way.
"If a man does his best, what else is there"?
General George S. Patton Jr.
B A R F !
July 20, 2008 - 00:52 ET by stratmanB A R F !
Pravda, American Style
July 20, 2008 - 10:20 ET by VonuIf they (three wise men) address BHO as "Great Leader", we're toast.