No one can accuse "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric of being totally in the tank for President Barack Obama - at least when it comes to the issue of health care.
Couric appeared in a Facebook exclusive video chat on Sept. 24 and suggested the president could do a better job selling his health care plan, but instead is being very vague.
"I think that the President could have done a better job of really outlining the issues and what's involved in health care reform. I think it's mind-numbingly dull and complicated and a lot of people don't truly understand a) why the system is broken, if it is in fact broken and the proposals - and how these proposals will actually improve the quality of care."
She blamed the 24/7 news cycle in part for his inability to finish the task and get it pushed through, but said ultimately what would be passed would not be as "wide-reaching" as what the administration had originally set to do.
"I think unfortunately in this - as I don't mean to echo President Obama, but in this news cycle, 24/7 news cycle - where there are little bits of information, that it leads to a lot of misunderstanding. I think there are a lot of politically motivated people out there who are trying to plant seeds of misunderstanding and I think that, you know, that there will be some kind of health care reform, that it won't be probably as wide-reaching."
The "Evening News" anchor maintained the debate was affecting her on an emotional basis because there seems to be a high degree of passion on both sides of the debate.
"And I think that, to be honest with you, the whole debate has kind of depressed me because it seems to be - the country is so polarized and so angry and the idea of kind of sitting down and working things out, and saying you know Medicare is a government-run program or your benefits aren't going to be reduced and have somebody challenge that assessment is a really necessary part of the political process but it seems increasingly difficult to do that in this day and age and just makes me feel sort of depressed about it," Couric said.
Couric criticized those who voiced their opinions who didn't know enough to have credibility in her view. However, she said she wished both sides could reach a Rodney King moment in the debate and "all just get along," or at least have a "rational" conversation.
"So, we'll see what happens and you know on one level, I'm glad that people are making their voices heard," Couric continued. "But the one thing that I really don't like are opinions without portfolio or judgments without knowledge, or basic information. I think that we have a lot of that. And there are people fanning the flames, encouraging that as well. So - I always feel like Rodney King, can't we all just get along, but can't we all just have a rational conversation about things and that's the way I feel about the health care debate."




















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Well in the end
September 24, 2009 - 18:44 ET by 10ksnookerShe goes away knowing she did all she could ... And isn't that what the Constitutionally protected news people are there for?
Funny thing is...
September 24, 2009 - 20:13 ET by President Skip 2024With the media helping get Obama elected, their influence seems to be waning on pushing this Liberal's policies through. Did you notice how "the people are ah catching on?" Two things disturb me here...one, Katie actually realizes the country's polarized (which makes be wonder now whether or not she was the tin man in the Wizard of Oz). And two, she takes no responsibility for contributing to that divide, nor the media's culpability for it (which rules out her playing the Lion in the Oz movie..no courage!).
Here's a hard one for ya...
September 24, 2009 - 18:49 ET by BKeyserAw, isn't she cute? Just adorable.
Hey Kate? Maybe- just maybe- the plan stinks and we're not buying it! It's not about how he's packaged it, or how he's selling it. Its the "it" that the ever-growing majority of people don't want you ditz!
Tommy Boy analogy
September 24, 2009 - 20:17 ET by President Skip 2024Poor little Katie...leave the analysis to people who've read the bill. Remember the movie Tommy Boy where Chris Farley was in the auto factory talking to a customer about about brakes? The customer was unsure b/c he was buying a good product from a company who offered a warranty. Farley's response: "you can wrap up a piece of crap in a box and put the word warranty on it, but at the end of the day, all you have is a guaranteed piece of crap"...it still stinks! Sound familiar?
Katie got a good look at a
September 24, 2009 - 20:43 ET by Dan DiegoKatie got a good look at a T-bone by sticking her head up a butcher's a$$... No, wait. It's Obama's a....
To Obama, it doesn't matter
September 25, 2009 - 06:34 ET by nadadhimmiTo Obama, it doesn't matter what the hell people want or don't want. He is attempting a communist coup, and he thinks people will just kiss his butt and do as they ARE TOLD. Down with the TYRANT.
Beam her up!
September 25, 2009 - 14:30 ET by Jerry MackYo Katie! You are soooo wrong. The people that are against it understand Obamas' ultimate goal of government run health care. We do not want anything to do with it.
The people that are in favor of it see and hear the word FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE or are too dumb to realize what is going on.
Katie logic
September 24, 2009 - 18:59 ET by ReaverThe perky ones logic on display- “people don't truly understand a) why the system is broken, if it is in fact broken and the proposals - and how these proposals will actually improve the quality of care.” a) why the system is broken, if it is in fact broken. Which is it Katie? Either the system is broken or it is not broken. If you’re going to make point a) you should at least have a point b).
Katy lies
You could see it in her eyes
I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S. Thompson
Uh oh
September 24, 2009 - 18:59 ET by TuariSomeone's getting a nastygram from the White House tonight for doubting the 0ne.
Rodney King? Nice image that
September 24, 2009 - 19:10 ET by Dan DiegoRodney King? Nice image that creates of those that oppose The One's plan.
Mind Numbingly Dull
September 24, 2009 - 19:17 ET by chuckkIsn't it just awful how tedious it is to have to EXPLAIN to the taxpayers why they need to be charged trillions of dollars?
I'm an American RN who lived and worked in Canada for 4 years. Yes, it's nice to go see a GP for a check-up for "free," (if you don't notice the 15% sales tax on everything that pays for it), but my experience was that the hospitals were ridiculously overstaffed, all nurses were forced to join "the union"and pay dues and patients would be kept in hospital for indefinite periods to "help keep the census up."
The one time I needed a specialist, I was sent to a doctor I'd never heard of and had to be put on a 2 month waiting list.
One final note: In Canada, you normally pay FULL PRICE for your prescriptions.
Just some thoughts from someone who's been a provider and a patient under "socialised medicine."
Gee Katie, ya
September 24, 2009 - 19:59 ET by Clear thinkerGee Katie, ya think?
Humana Experiences Obama/Dem Thuggery
http://iamnotaracist.wordpress.com/
Just an aside:
September 24, 2009 - 20:03 ET by BarkerRemember when Couric showed up at an event last year wearing her hair just like Sarah Palin? Now Katie's making statements via Facebook, just like Sarah Palin. Could it be that Katie Couric is a tad -check that- a ton envious of The Pretty One?
Yo Barker!
September 24, 2009 - 20:05 ET by BlondeWhat on earth do you NEAM?
:D
I hope he fails, too.
Blonde,
September 24, 2009 - 20:26 ET by BarkerI know it seems a little bass-ackwards sometimes, but it si what it si. :^/
Yeppirs, Barker
September 24, 2009 - 20:32 ET by BlondeOAMLFTOR!!!!
I had to laugh...I saw your post on the "ban" thread...no one else caught it, but wooo freakin' hoo!!! LOL. or LOL. or LOLOLOL.
I hope he fails, too.
Uh,Katie-The One does not
September 24, 2009 - 21:35 ET by RR GOPUh,Katie-The One does not care if anyone understands this, or if it works, or how many people don't like it. The point is to get the power and the money.
Would really help all of us out if these Libtards would wipe the fecal matter off of their noses, wake up and do the critical thinking that they think they're so good at.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
LOL-You could apply 12 cases of lipstick to the pig that is...
September 24, 2009 - 21:40 ET by R D Helm...ObamaCare, and it would still be a pig.
As for Obama's vagueness, that exists because this plan isn't his, and he is clueless as to what is really in it.
He is pushing this insanity merely because his handlers and enablers insist that he do so, and for the same reasons they are pushing CrapAndTax, and for the same reasons they have pushed just about every other social program down the throats of the American people for the last 100+ years:
It is the absolute and total power and control over our lives they are really after, not the results.
-Dave
I agree with Rush. It's time for Obama to resign.
Hard to be a shill these days
September 24, 2009 - 22:14 ET by ThoreauSo she's not upset because it unConstitutional, but because it's not entertaining enough when nobody reads it. Sounds about right. Next...
What I Love
September 25, 2009 - 06:59 ET by topdog729is how the media says medicare/caide is goverment run.
Never do they say how we pay into it all our working lives!
I'm no geniuses but If the government wasn't always taking money from us wouldn't we be able to afford heath care!
FRAYING POM-POMs
September 25, 2009 - 07:23 ET by Mitch NJNo wonder Katie's so depressed-she sees nothing sadder than an aging cheerleader rooting for losers.
Now, Y'All be nice to katie.
September 25, 2009 - 09:19 ET by Willis_Leon_JohnsonI have a use for her in my life.
I just don't remember for sure what it is...
Let's see, housekeeping covered? check.
Laundry? check
Child creation and care of infants? check.
Taxi service? yep, covered......
oh yeah.
Septic system dug up and replaced..... Anybody got her home number? Does she do outside sewage work or just the media?
http://gjresult.com
no matter how much lipstick you use
September 25, 2009 - 11:22 ET by wizardjrthe healthcare rape and plunder bill pig is still a pig
"I think unfortunately in
September 25, 2009 - 11:54 ET by Chris Norman"I think unfortunately in this - as I don't mean to echo President Obama, but in this news cycle, 24/7 news cycle - where there are little bits of information, that it leads to a lot of misunderstanding.
What a truck load of crap. When she says "24/7 news cycle", she, like all her ilk, really means Fox News. If Fox would only just go away, the liberal media would be free to help Obama shove this million car pile up down the throats of Americans quickly. This, this, pom pom girl turned elitist, thinks everyone else is so dumb that they are easily swayed by "conservative con artists". It doesn't enter her vapid mind that people are smart enough to know instinctively that this chaotic Rube Goldberg "plan" is a national catastrophe just waiting to happen. Every time I read the absolute mindless crap this silly woman excretes, I am newly reminded just how far journalism has sunk. It reads like it should be expressed in magenta and purple ink with the "I"s dotted with hearts and the periods as flowers.
The "Mainstream" Media: By liberals. For liberals.
Couric
September 25, 2009 - 13:54 ET by 88CidI still remember her words the day Operation Iraqi Freedom began the invasion of Iraq. On the Today Show she posed the question,"And where is Saddam, in Syria? We hope."
No Katie, unless you had a mouse in your pocket it was YOU hoped.