Honeymoon? Forget about it. The morning after his announcement, "Today" wasted no time in going after Fred Thompson. Like a Las Vegas bride with a bad hangover, Meredith Vieira seemed particularly grumpy. At 7:05 a.m. EDT, the "Today" co-anchor interviewed Tim Russert.
MEREDITH VIEIRA: The other candidates are out debating last night, and he's on Leno, he's yukking it up announcing that he's running for president as if it is a punch line. Was that a smart thing for him to do?
Vieira's vitriolic tone left no doubt that, in her mind, it wasn't. Russert suggested that Thompson needs to establish "real credibility" that he is the consistent conservative in the race, and raise money.
View video here.
Meredith riffed off Russert's "credibility" line to take her next shot.
VIEIRA: Well you know you talk about credibility. I want to read you something that New Hampshire Republican chairman Fergus Cullen said about Thompson. He said that the voters in this state are interested in this guy, but, and here's the but, "for Thompson to go on Jay Leno the same night and be trading jokes while other candidates are having a substantive discussion on issues is not going to be missed by New Hampshire voters." So it's possible the decision could backfire, isn't it?
Russert observed that the influential Manchester Union-Leader has been saying much the same thing, and that "there's no doubt about it, Thompson has some work to do."
Of course we all remember the way "Today" roughed up Hillary the morning after she chose to announce via a fluffy chat-on-the-couch. Or not.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Trash the Right, kiss the Left=MSM
September 6, 2007 - 07:49 ET by VT Con ManYeah, they are at least consistent...
And I thought 2004 was the
September 6, 2007 - 07:55 ET by Jack BauerAnd I thought 2004 was the most shameless attempt ever for the 80% + Democrat voting broadcast and print media to blatantly root for one party.
Apparently we ain't seen nothing yet from the voracious pack of hyenas.
That's why I keep saying
September 6, 2007 - 08:04 ET by motherbeltThat's why I keep saying "Welcome to the 2008 election, courtesy of McCain/Feingold. In the last 30 or 60 days before the election, this is ALL we'll be allowed to see.
But 2 years before!!
September 6, 2007 - 08:05 ET by PawpawNGeez, we get this stuff 2 years before election now! By the time the election comes around will anyone be left standing!!
mother -- when they talked
September 6, 2007 - 08:17 ET by Jack Bauermother -- when they talked about a "free" press I never realized that meant "free" to support one political party.
All this says to me is that
September 6, 2007 - 12:32 ET by TruthMongerAll this says to me is that Meredith's MSM is afraid - very AFRAID:)...
Just where Fred wants em - heh-heh-heh...
BTW I can just see the coffee shops today all over "flyover country" desperately fretting about Fred's leno appearance - largely due to the fact that red state conservatives never watch leno in the first place - they have to get some sleep, get up the next morning, and keep doing the things that make the cushy blue state life possible - growing food, raising future fleeceable taxpayers, etc...
Protest Craig's conservative abandonment - vote Democrat in 08'
Of course we all remember
September 6, 2007 - 08:02 ET by motherbeltOf course we all remember the way "Today" roughed up Hillary the
morning after she chose to announce via a fluffy chat-on-the-couch. Or
not. - Mark F.
And they completely ignored the buzz that insider Dick Morris was saying: that she was pressured and had to change her plan, and was furious at having to declare so early, because of Obama.
So much for analysis.
Leno appearances/Daly appearances, etc.
September 6, 2007 - 08:02 ET by PawpawNLet's see, if memory serves me correct, a lot of politicians have been on programs like these, either before they announced their intention, after they did such, or they actually did such on these programs. As Fred had not announced, he should not have been in the debate-I REPEAT-HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN IN THE DEBATE. If you are not a candidate, you should not be in or be allowed in a debate. Am I correct?
Details, details.
September 6, 2007 - 08:06 ET by motherbeltDetails, details.
This just shows me that for
September 6, 2007 - 08:15 ET by BeowulfThis just shows me that for the Lefty MSM, the worst has happened. Fred is running. I'm sure that somewhere in their tiny little minds and deep in their shriveled souls, they have been hoping that his delay in announcing meant he wasn't going to run.
Bottom line - they're scared of Thompson because he is a substantive threat to their poster-girl. And they are reacting in what has become a predictable fashion for them. Snapping out like spoiled, petulant children.
Be prepared for soooo much more. Fred is not in for an easy ride (unlike his Dem opponents).
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Bottom line - they're
September 6, 2007 - 08:32 ET by rightsideBottom line - they're scared of Thompson because he is a substantive threat to their poster-girl. -Beowulf
You think they are cheering for Edwards?
Yes! Have some.
My mistake. I was (for
September 6, 2007 - 12:15 ET by BeowulfMy mistake. I was (for once) being literal instead of sarcastic. I was referring to Shrillary, but you make a valid point about the Breck-Girl...
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
Fred Thompson has
September 6, 2007 - 09:52 ET by motherbeltFred Thompson has "gravitas", in comparison to the Breck Girl; he is quiet and confident, where Clinton is shrill; he exudes experience, in comparison to the brash Obama. This is a candidacy that the MSM wants to strangle in the crib.
When are conservatives
September 6, 2007 - 08:30 ET by rightsideWhen are conservatives going to start hitting back at the drive-bys? We all know they're not going to get a fair shake with them, so why not start each reply to a question off with, "Well, since you're obviously a cheerleader for any democrat", and "You trumpet Larry Craigs foot-tapping demise, yet are silent on Hsu's whereabouts, and obvious connection to the ChiComs".
Force their hand, for Pete's sake! What we need is more replies in the Tom DeLay vs. Matt Lauer vein. When the drive-bys set up an obvious slam at the GOP/conservatives, bitch-slap them back down, and look at the camera directly, and tell the public how it really is!
Get some testicular fortitude for crying out loud! What are you afraid of? They won't be fair to you?
Yes! Have some.
This is a point I have been
September 6, 2007 - 12:18 ET by BeowulfThis is a point I have been making for several years, and I believe it is the one single factor that has put the Dems in control of congress, and stands them in good chances of gaining the White House in '08. The right side has got to rebut these attacks, but they don't. And it would be sooooo easy to do. I can't understand it.
The Closed Mind Erects Strong Barriers
I totally agree
September 6, 2007 - 09:46 ET by LilyPearlHe had not announced yet so he should not have been in the debate. Also, Fred is not announcing his candidacy late--everyone else has announced early. I smell fear in the MSM.
Something got reversed
September 6, 2007 - 09:47 ET by KC MulvilleIn days past, when men were men and women glad of it, the media followed the candidates. Now, the candidates are expected to come to the media. They were upset that a candidate didn't come when called. It's like the rats in the maze have started telling the scientists where to place the cheese. I fully agree with Thompson's move -- many more would be watching Leno than the debate. The news reporters, however, are angry that they were disrespected.
I also agree that the Gingrich-Cooper Union-style debates deserve support, rather than these TV auditions. The best way to bring that about is to stop supporting these consultant fantasy pageants.
when men were men and women
September 6, 2007 - 10:01 ET by motherbeltwhen men were men and women glad of it -KC Mulville
I love that! :-)
Another cultural reference to the Three Stooges
September 6, 2007 - 10:10 ET by KC MulvilleTheir wisdom is forever applicable to all times and places
Meredith and Timmy have it
September 6, 2007 - 10:08 ET by bigtimerMeredith and Timmy have it all figured out eh?
ROFLMAO!
Go Fred!
He has only just begun and the leftists and some repub's are all shaking in their boots....heheheeee...
Too much fun...
Slime Machine now plugged in
September 6, 2007 - 10:43 ET by Blogger Guy00001The Clintons have a very powerful slime machine. They and their buddies in the media have extensive files on all those who would dare to oppose them. In addition, they have thousands of people who are very happy to testify that the Republican did something scandalous.
I dont see it as a big
September 6, 2007 - 10:52 ET by bassndudeI dont see it as a big deal. He announced last night. He will be in the next debate. Face it, if 63% of the NB crowd dident watch the early debate, 80% of the general population dident. It was a debate, for an election still more than a year away. The dems havent had a debate on anything as yet. Just face time and softball questions. I will start watching debates and watching the candidates in November.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
This bashing of Fred is
September 6, 2007 - 11:44 ET by Conservative_in_mass.This bashing of Fred is quite the contrast to the Clinton love fest yesterday. I wonder if they were able to clean off all of Matty's drool from the carpet near Bill's feet...
Nope, no MSM agenda at all.
I love how Meredith Vieira
September 6, 2007 - 11:56 ET by fitzfongI love how Meredith Vieira gets away with this phony straw man tactic. She injects her own ignorant personal biases into a story by suggesting that she's only parroting what Republicans are thinking. It's a cowardly act by a cowardly person. I just hope that most voters aren't dumb enough to fall for it.
Geez, you think they'd be
September 6, 2007 - 12:20 ET by Tom1969caGeez, you think they'd be happy that Fred chose to announce his candidacy on their network, as opposed to doing so on, say, H&C or Larry King (still a)live.
That's gratitude for ya...
~~~
If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them!
Tom.... ROFL... Excellen
September 6, 2007 - 12:24 ET by bigtimerTom....
ROFL...
Excellent point...wished I would of thought of that.
Meredith Vieira
September 6, 2007 - 13:56 ET by pocomocoMeredith Vieira, having obtained her political credentials from the show ‘Who wants to be a millionaire ?’ is now showing her political astuteness as she makes political comments on the Today show.
If you listen to her vacuously biased remarks, one must surmise that they are based on what her ‘Magic 8 Ball’ and ‘Ouija Board’ are telling her.
She is truly an embarrassment.
Fred
September 6, 2007 - 18:22 ET by SlicksterFred is very astute and knows exactly what he is doing. He has heard all of the players state their positions and has had time to see what plays well and what doesn't. He also has the advantage of being fresh in the eyes of the public and is not encumbered debate fatigue. Fred was also a senator during Bill's reign of terror so he knows many of the Clinton adminstration's scams. Hillary should be afraid, very afraid.
This must be the first and
September 6, 2007 - 18:23 ET by Chris NormanThis must be the first and only time where someone on the MSM wanted a politician to appear on FoxNews...