Warning to Bush administration officials: when being interviewed by Meredith Vieira, be prepared to make your point in 7-10 seconds, or risk being rudely caught off by the "Today" co-anchor.
Twice in the course of her interview of Condoleezza Rice this morning, Vieira distemperately interrupted just seconds after the Secretary of State began responding to her host's question.
View video here.
MEREDITH VIEIRA: Yesterday Senator John Warner asked General Petraeus whether the war in Iraq is making us any safer, and the general responded "I don't know." [Note: in subsequent testimony before the same committee, Petraeus made clear the link between Iraq and America's security interests, but Vieira and others in the MSM have been choosing to ignore that this morning]. What should Americans take from that if the commanding general in Iraq doesn't know if the war there is making us any safer?
CONDOLEEZA RICE: Well, the war in Iraq, when we are successful there, will make a more stable Iraq, and that will make a more stable Middle East --
VIEIRA [interrupting seven seconds into Rice's answer]: But that hasn't worked, clearly --
A bit later, the same scenario.
VIEIRA: So what's the purpose of the military surge if we still have dysfunction on the ground?RICE: Well, first of all, I think both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker made very clear yesterday that there have been security improvements in Iraq. Secondly, I hope we won't lose the forest for the trees here. Yes --
This time Vieira magnanimously accorded Rice 10 seconds before butting in.
VIEIRA: But very little! Very little!
Rice had had enough of Vieira's bad manners, and calmly responded.
RICE: Meredith, you asked me a question, now, the issue is --VIEIRA: OK.
If Vieira's guest were, say, former Clinton Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, do you think Vieira would interrupt her so impolitely? Just wondering.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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One of the biggest problems
September 12, 2007 - 08:22 ET by kdoliverOne of the biggest problems with the Bush Administration is that they have been very (too?) polite with the press. You would think that leftist/PC press would love Ms. Rice--she happens to be an intelligent, attractive, black woman. However, her views are not in keeping with our sophisticated press. God Bless Ms. Rice for her professionalism and I hope that parents of young girls will hold her up as a role model.
http://thelazytriathlete.blogspot.com/
I commend Condi for having
September 12, 2007 - 08:36 ET by Free ThinkerI commend Condi for having the patience to come on these shows and deal with intellectual lightweights like merideth. It is also appropriate to admonish and correct newsreaders like merideth when they are rude and not paying attention to the facts or merely spinning a story to fit their own template. In that regard Condi was way too polite.
Donald Trump handled Vieira
September 12, 2007 - 08:38 ET by fosstenDonald Trump handled Vieira the best of anyone in history over the Rosie flap. He twisted her in little knots.
One great tactic that any Republican/Conservative could use when being treated that way is to simply keep silent after being interrupted. Dead silence is anathema to good TV, and it would come back to bite a rude little ankle biter like Vieira.
Example:
RICE: Well, first of all, I think both General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker made very clear yesterday that there have been security improvements in Iraq. Secondly, I hope we won't lose the forest for the trees here. Yes --
VIEIRA: But very little! Very little!
Rice:
VIEIRA (Flustered): Go ahead, Madame Secretary.
Rice: No, you go ahead, Meredith. You obviously are more interested in what you have to say than in what I have to say.
VIEIRA: Uh...uh...
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Love the 'Example'. But
September 12, 2007 - 08:46 ET by rimskyLove the 'Example'. But you know, of course, that if that actually happened the msm would have an orgasm of reaction as to how rude the Secretary was to poor Meredith.
I have this fantasy that at a very late stage in Bush's term in office, he and key members of his cabinet will take the gloves off and let the msm have it right between the eyes. Hey, I can dream can't I?
Okay, how about this
September 12, 2007 - 08:48 ET by fosstenOkay, how about this one:
Rice: Pardon me, Meredith, I didn't meant to talk while you were interrupting.
Vieira: Uh...uh...
Lauer: Oh jeez, it's like the Tom DeLay interview all over again...Mommy!
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
I agree Fossten, That is
September 12, 2007 - 08:54 ET by USA4freedomI agree Fossten,
That is what my Dad use to do to me (the very few times) I
interrupted him.
I would say, oh sorry Dad, and he would respond with: no go
on, I’m sure its more important then what I would have said..
This is the best way to deal with these jerks. Just silence..
Bush should do that in those crazy press conferences. With
the likes of Helen Thomas...
When she comes up with one of those are you still beating
your wife questions, on top of interrupting, just stand there.. Then tell her finish
with her speech, just keep going, don’t stop Helen.. We need to hear each and
every little thought in that empty head of yours. We will wait...
I’m sure that the world want to hear just what an old bag
like you is thinking..
After a few min. Helen will look even smaller then she does
already!
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Excellent Suggestion
September 12, 2007 - 09:38 ET by BondPlainBondThat is sound thinking and precisely the SOP the GOP should follow henceforth. The vivid example you have given is spot-on.
Perfect!
September 12, 2007 - 10:58 ET by River CityExcellent way to handle it without being rude. Quick, email Tony Snow and give the idea to him so they can start using it IMMEDIATELY! They need the help.
“Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.” Ronald Reagan
Rice's silent response...
September 12, 2007 - 21:01 ET by Amanda JusticeHAHAHAHA.... that cracked me up, fossten. That's a beautiful response (or lack thereof).
Thanks guys. Personally,
September 12, 2007 - 22:16 ET by fosstenThanks guys. Personally, I liked drillanwr's comment below the best. I'm STILL laughing at that one.
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Would that be your good
September 12, 2007 - 21:26 ET by Jack BauerWould that be your good friends Mr Glock and Mr Browning on the line?
Actually, it's Mr. Steyr.
September 12, 2007 - 22:17 ET by fosstenActually, it's Mr. Steyr. Thanks for the high five bro.
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
I loved how the General
September 12, 2007 - 08:40 ET by Conservative in the ArtsI loved how the General answered a question about over-all war on terror and making America safer in his second time around to answer that question. I just wish he wasn't so polite. "I don't know" is exactly what the MSM and the Dems wanted to hear and he gave it to them. What he should have said: "Not my job sir, I'm in charge of Iraq. My mission stops at the Iraqi border. Now, Mr. Feingold if you want to talk about Afghanistan you came to the wrong meeting."
You are exactly
September 12, 2007 - 08:51 ET by fosstenYou are exactly right.
Feingold: And General Petraeus, if that is your real name, can you tell us what exactly are your qualifications to determine the amorphous properties of polymer lipids?
Petraeus: I don't know -
Feingold: Aha! You don't know! I thought so! You're just a puppet sent by the Bush administration to lie to the American people!
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Silence.. makes good
September 12, 2007 - 08:57 ET by USA4freedomSilence.. makes good TV..
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
It’s the perfect example
September 12, 2007 - 09:01 ET by USA4freedomIt’s the perfect example of: look we don’t care what the answer
is, we just want to make points..
So what you say is unimportant to us, just that you are
sitting there listing to what “I” have to say!!
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc.
Ronald Reagan- 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Amen, CitA!
September 12, 2007 - 11:20 ET by RedGuyBlueStateAmen, CitA! Feingold is just another one of these spineless wimps that a General needs to smackdown! (I'm reminded of Jack Nicholson's "You can't handle the Truth!" speech.) I still can't believe "Rusty" was reelected.
Can you guess which Blue State I'm from. :)
"This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it."
-- Fred Thompson as Admiral Josh Painter (The Hunt for Red October)
RedGuyBlueState
September 12, 2007 - 16:00 ET by The Mavit's good to see another WI resident here. Unfortunately, the two biggest cities in WI are democratic. Otherwise we'd be a red state!
On Rice being interrupted, how am I supposed to respect any interviewer if they continue to show no respect for the people they are interviewing? Left or Right...
I rarely watch the news. I get a lot of news off the internet.
Secretary Mme.
September 12, 2007 - 09:01 ET by motherbeltMadame Secretary Not-so-bright would be (and generally WAS) given all the time she wanted to give her dissertation, lecture, stump speech and whatever else she wanted to say. After which, Meredith would repsond: Thank you Madame Secretary, for taking valuable time out of your schedule to educate us on this very important issue.
With Secretary Rice, what you get from Veiera is yada, yada, yada we know what you're going to say and don't have to, or want to, hear it.
Liberal journalism 101: YOU get to decide how much the interviewee says.
I wish Secretary Rice had just said, "Well, Meredith, since you're obviously not interested in my answers, and I have a lot of work to do today, I'll just go on my way and let you finish this on your own."
I would have paid cash money to see that! These snotty liberal know-it-alls should get it in the face once in a while. I think the last person to really do that was Bob Dole in '96 when he told Katie Couric that she was carrying water for the Democrats and shouldn't be doing that as a journalist.
I wish Secretary Rice had
September 12, 2007 - 09:10 ET by fosstenI wish Secretary Rice had just said, "Well, Meredith, since you're obviously not interested in my answers, and I have a lot of work to do today, I'll just go on my way and let you finish this on your own."
We think alike. Look up eight posts above yours.
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Very similar! LOL
September 12, 2007 - 10:13 ET by motherbeltVery similar! LOL
Don't Hold Your Breath
September 12, 2007 - 09:51 ET by CaringwhiteguyDon't hold your breath MB. The current "Madame Secretary" is totally incapable of pulling that off. Condi is a perfect example of the Peter Principle. It kicked in as she left Stanford.
Looks like NBC's morning
September 12, 2007 - 09:22 ET by drillanwrLooks like NBC's morning show is suffering from an acute case of self-righteous indignation and has thrown ALL journalistic objectivity out the 100th floor window to lay shattered on the pavement below ... AKA, they have been briefed by the democrat party on what/how to "ask" questions in an interview with Bush Administration Officials ...
The purpose
September 12, 2007 - 09:29 ET by KC MulvilleRespect takes second place when you're busy posturing.
Frustrations with the Secretary
September 12, 2007 - 09:45 ET by CaringwhiteguyI say without prejudice that Secretary Rice takes forever to make her points. She really doesn't give direct answers and the ones she gives are loaded with "ahs" and "ers". How many sentences have you heard her complete without steering off course between the verb and the noun? Her speech patterns are somewhat similar to her management style at State . . . . Time for her to get back to Stanford, where she wasn't in over her head.
I think Ms. Rice is an
September 12, 2007 - 10:12 ET by SmartypantsI think Ms. Rice is an excellent communicator and, for the most part, a straight-shooter. Of course, I feel the same way about Mr. Cheney as well, who also has an unfair reputation of being some kind of double-talking madman. Virtually every time I've heard either of these people interviewed (in a fair manner) their responses are well-reasoned, direct and with little fluff. Contrast this with many Democrats who pontificate using baseless superlatives, angry invective and emotional drivel. Ask Cheney or Rice why we're in Iraq and they will give you a direct answer. Ask a Democrat legislator why, if they are so against the war, they have not defunded it and forced our troops to come home and you will get a bunch of gobblygook doublespeak which ultimately means nothing.
Frankly, I don't care HOW
September 12, 2007 - 10:20 ET by motherbeltFrankly, I don't care HOW long she takes to answer. If an interviewer
asks a question, she should listen to the answer. Not jump in with
confrontational attacks whenever something is said that she doesn't
agree with. Meredith was NOT trying to hurry her along; she wanted Rice to stop where SHE wanted to dispute something said. Hey, Veiera, take NOTES; then when she's done you can go back and ask about specific things.
If the guest were one of the Democrat presidential candidates, Veiera would have sat, nodding patiently, for as long as it took him/her to dissect and disagree with every sentence of Gen. Petraeus' testimony, piece by piece.
...and even repeating with
September 12, 2007 - 13:00 ET by TruthMonger...and even repeating with they said, and elaborating on it - and they would also have "several news items right here that reflect what you say:)!"
It's just so damn hard to be a lib interviewee on the MSM...
Please, explain to everyone
September 12, 2007 - 12:42 ET by fitzfongPlease, explain to everyone how Secretary Rice's "speech patterns are somewhat similar to her management style at State". Otherwise, one might assume that your comparison is a lame non sequitur meant to sound clever and incisive (when it is neither).
I'm not exactly sure what "direct answers" you're expecting from Secretary Rice. Seems to me that she never gets the opportunity to answer the loaded questions she receives without constant interruptions from partisan gasbags like Richard Benveniste and Meredith Vieira.
Explanation
September 12, 2007 - 12:56 ET by CaringwhiteguyFits and starts. Indecision. Mixed signals (ask the Israelis how helpful she was during their major border battle with Hezbollah). Inability or unwillingness to stand up to the lifers and bureaucrats at State undermining Administration policy. In over her head.
Fits and starts.
September 12, 2007 - 12:59 ET by fosstenFits and starts. Indecision. Mixed signals (ask the Israelis how helpful she was during their major border battle with Hezbollah). Inability or unwillingness to stand up to the lifers and bureaucrats at State undermining Administration policy. Mixed signals (ask the Israelis how helpful she was during their major border battle with Hezbollah). In over her head.
At least she doesn't repeat herself. ;)
By the way, it's an insult to call the battle with Hezbollah a "border battle." They were defending themselves against rocket attacks on their civilians. What the heck are you trying to pull?
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Sorry you're offended
September 12, 2007 - 13:12 ET by CaringwhiteguySounds like you'd make a fine career diplomat. By the way, that's exactly how Sec. Rice treated the Israeli/Hezzbolah situation . . . kind of like a little skirmish. Never really putting her foot down on the throat of the Hezzies. You've made my point.
"Fits and starts." - non
September 12, 2007 - 13:31 ET by fitzfong"Fits and starts." - non sequitur
"Indecision." - non sequitur
"Mixed signals" - non sequitur...and since I don't have the opportunity to poll "the Israelis" to determine how helpful she was during the battle with Hezbollah, I'll leave it to you to enlighten me.
"Inability or unwillingness to stand up to the lifers and bureaucrats at State undermining Administration policy." - I'm with you on that point, but I think it's more of an Administration-wide problem. Was Colin Powell any better in that department?
"In over her head." - Once again, a non sequitur.
Without any context to your charges, you're simply using throwaway lines to deflect questions. It's an effective tactic, one the Democrats have routinely used on the few occasions they've even been mildly pressed (think Bill Clinton with Chris Wallace and John Kerry regarding "Swift Boating" and "botched jokes"). Quick non-answer answer, followed by turning around the question to attack the reporter and portraying oneself as the victim. Perhaps Condi should use that tactic...
It Does Not Follow
September 12, 2007 - 13:43 ET by CaringwhiteguyLucky Condi. She's got you to defend her. You've even gone so far as to accuse her critic (me) of using the tactics of the hated Bill Clinton and John F. Kerry. That's powerful stuff. Did you ever work in the Provost's office at Stanford?
You come with empty charges
September 12, 2007 - 13:52 ET by fitzfongYou come with empty charges that you can't defend. I call you on it. That makes me a mouthpiece for Secretary Rice? Well, that's some kind of logic.
RICE: Meredith, talk to
September 12, 2007 - 10:02 ET by drillanwrRICE: Meredith, talk to the hand ... <Rice raising her palm to the camera>
VIERA: But Sec. Rice ...
RICE: Um ummm ... Oh, no you not! You are NOT gonna axe me `nother thang `til you shut your face and listen to me when I am telling you somethin', bee-ach! Ya gots that? Hmmm? <signaling with left hand making talking gesture> This be you axing the dumb-a$$ed question ... <signaling with right hand making talking gestures> Dis be me answering your dumb-a$$ed questions ... Ya see? Ya see? What's the Meredith hand doin' while Condi hand is talking? Huh?!? <showing left hand's fingers tightly pinched to look like a bird beak> It's shut ... Your mouth is shut, Mere-death! <motioning with right hand, fingers moving rapidly like a bird's beak> Dis is Condi talking while Mere-death is shuttin' up ... Understood? I ain't sittin' here being disrespected by some glorified network seat-warmer ... I got things waiting for me back at my office ... Why don't you head back over to "The View" and see how many bolts it'll take to repair your chair Rosie busted down, huh? <snaps fingers in a Z motion to the camera> Condi is O-U-T, baby!
LOLYou sir, are a man
September 12, 2007 - 10:46 ET by fosstenLOL
You sir, are a man with integrity. I was reading your post thinking, "He better include the Z snap or else I'm gonna call him out." Well you delivered in spades and I'm laughing my tail off!
Nice job.
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Honey, only a WOMAN could
September 12, 2007 - 10:46 ET by drillanwrHoney, only a WOMAN could deliver that scenario!
Or a really, REALLY gay guy ...
Not to confuse you ... I'm NOT a gay guy ... Really.
I was gonna say...a woman
September 12, 2007 - 11:45 ET by fosstenI was gonna say...a woman named Andrew...?
Forget 911, I dial 9MM.
Typical leftist loser tactic
September 12, 2007 - 10:17 ET by Blogger Guy00001Interrupting just as "the enemy" (any conservative) is starting to make sense. This is an old leftist tactic. Don't be polite with them. Wait until they finish, then continue with the sentence that you were stating.
Sec. Rice and the rest of
September 12, 2007 - 10:29 ET by midnight cowboySec. Rice and the rest of the republicans need to take a course in the
Coulter & Delay Media Interview Whoop-Ass School.
Cheney
September 12, 2007 - 11:09 ET by River CityI think Dick and Lynn Cheney already show they have this mastered. Their last interviews on CNN were good. They were done individually, on different issues. Neither one put up with any crap. One of the topics was their daughter and grandchild. I don't remember if it was a question for Dick or Lynn but he or she threw it right back at the CNN dimwit.
“Government does not solve problems; it subsidizes them.” Ronald Reagan
Vagina would let Albright
September 12, 2007 - 11:10 ET by wiwfVagina would let Albright speak to the bitter end, leading to 3 minutes to none of back and forth dialogue (as opposed to this 10 seconds to 1 million with Rice and Vagina), but she would probably still interrupt her with very loud "MMM HMMMMM"s and "UH HUUUUH"s and "YEAAAAAH"s. Hell she'd probably start to joke with Notbright at the end with crap like "is that your final answer?"
Can't wait for 2008! This political retardation shown by liberals will not be tolerated anymore.
"Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage
morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested,
exiled, or hanged." -Abraham Lincoln
Don't try to OVER TALK a liberal
September 12, 2007 - 11:08 ET by Ole_SargeSomething I've noticed for awhile that bugs the heck out of me. The TOTAL disrespect of the Liberal Left and all their flunkies and adherants.
When someone with a "different" message from their own is speaking, they "talk over" them. Not even giving them a chance to finish (sometimes not even start) a sentence.
Not even Sean Hanity does this.
I only got more angry at the various Congressional Repesentatives and Senators with General Petraeus' report. Damn it, give this man a chance to start speaking and to finish before you expose your stupidity for all to see.
The MSM "morning shows" are about the worse for it, I disliked the "Diva Katie" and "bleach blonde" Meredith is no better. Diane Sawyer at least comes across as mostly polite, she usually lets "guests" finish a sentence. The "heavy news" like the stuff on CNN and MSNBC, I can't stand for the shouting.
(Okay Glenn Beck is a nice dose of polite coverage and counter to CNN's normal programing - how does that happen?)
O_S
September 12, 2007 - 11:15 ET by drillanwrQuestion: What's to stop Gen. Petreaus from standing up and walking out of the hearing the next time a dem shows him no regard or respect? I mean, the man IS NOT on trial, for cripes sakes ... He's delivering a friggin' report.
Well, Merridith since you
September 12, 2007 - 11:54 ET by mytwocentsWell, Merridith since you obviously know more about matters of State than I do, I'm just going to let you answer and I'll get back to doing nothing over at the "big house". See ya.
And another thing....
September 12, 2007 - 13:42 ET by BarkerLet me just say that I find this treatment of Secretary Rice to be......hang on....someone's knocking on my door............well what do you know....it's Meredith Vieira!!!
Meredith
September 12, 2007 - 16:33 ET by Emma GrumpThese Today show interviews are disgraceful! Seems the sniveling "journalists" only want to ask the hard questions of conservatives and members of the administration, but never give them proper time to answer, while reserving the kissy-kissy-huggy-huggy ones to the likes of Bill Clinton, et al, ad nauseum. At the rate their bias is becoming more blatant, I think we are heading for the day when Republicans and conservatives will be deserving of death, just for disagreeing with the "media elite". And now Matt Lauer will be reporting to us from Iran????? Have these idiots lost the God-given common sense they were presumably born with? Hopefully, the majority of REAL Americans will see through this despicable display of the liberal mindset, which is "regain power by any means". Infuriating!
Matt going to Iran?
September 12, 2007 - 19:06 ET by well99Does he have to wear a burka(SP)?
dp
September 12, 2007 - 22:15 ET by fosstendp