The advocacy on display Monday by "CBS Evening News" anchor Katie Couric was almost unimaginable.
In her "Notebook" video posted at CBSNews.com, Couric read a poem fashioned after Clement Clarke Moore's classic "The Night Before Christmas."
Without any regard for hiding her position on healthcare reform legislation currently before Congress, Couric used the coming holidays as an excuse to wax poetic about her wish that Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) would "save Harry Reid's Christmas with a deal she brought forth" (video embedded below the fold with poem transcript, h/t Story Balloon, file photo):
Twas just weeks before Christmas and what do you know
Senate Democrats are once again praying for Snowe.
They won 60 votes to start the debate
But they're back to square one and the just have to wait.
Wait for Blue Dogs like Nelson and Lincoln
Who say a public option would mean the economy sinkin'.
Wait for Joe Lieberman who says it won't pass
And hope Mary Landrieu can change her mind fast.
The Republican votes right now total zero
But a trigger could make one woman a hero.
The moderate who hails from the land way up north
Could save Harry Reid's Christmas with a deal she brought forth.
Urging government plans for when private ones fail
To think: both sides happy, can both sides prevail?
At this point no compromise looms within sight
That means after Thanksgiving it's on with the fight.
Enjoy your turkey and know we'll be here
To help make this tough topic just a little more clear.
Exit question I: Shouldn't it be verboten for so-called "news anchors" to campaign for the passage of legislation while they're on the job?
Exit question II: Aren't Christmas references unacceptable to today's secular press, or are they okay if used to advance President Obama's agenda?
*****Update: NB reader Jim Wrenn e-mailed this fabulous comment...
Twas Katie the Anchor of CBS News
Attempting a poem expressing her views
That all folks should wish for Obama-type care.
Though rhymes formed the ends of the lines she prepared
The absence of rhythm comprising each line
Resembles ObamaCare's faulty design.
*****Update II: Ed Morrissey marvelously notes...
Yes, I remember fondly when Edward R. Murrow used to bastardize children’s poems in order to flack for policy on the air at the Tiffany Network. This may have been my favorite Murrow ditty:
Mary had a little lamb, whose fleece was white as snow,
And everywhere Kefauver went, Stevenson’s sure to go.
OK, OK, the meter was a little rusty, but it was Murrow, man!
And to think that people don’t take Couric seriously as a journalist ….
Delicious!
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Two of the five viewers who watched Couric yawned . . .
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:49 ET by Galvanic. . . the other three were already asleep.
With ratings like hers, she might as well abandon any pretense (and credibility) she had left.
*GASP* Couric had
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:53 ET by Beukeboom*GASP* Couric had credibility at one time? Shocking!!!
Couric has no credibility,
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 01:09 ET by kgCouric has no credibility, no shame and no class.
"DumbAssity of Dope"
This simpleton.....
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 13:25 ET by Patriot IIHas a semi visible "DUH" on her forehead , talk about a deer caught in the headlights...this dimwit broad does not have a clue....about anything! Guess that makes her a good media person for the libs huh?
"Exit question: Shouldn't
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:56 ET by Beukeboom"Exit question: Shouldn't it be verboten for so-called "news anchors" to campaign for the passage of legislation while they're on the job?"
Exit answer: It doesn't matter. Liberal "news anchors" are going to do it anyway and their bosses will reward them for doing so as long as they remain on the liberal side. As soon as any one of them even hint at taking a conservative position, the liberal bosses will toss them under the bus with nary a hint of regret.
Out The Window
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 02:26 ET by countmein5050MSM remaining objective in what they do has long since gone out the window. The ironic part about all of this is liberals have always been free to donate what ever extra money they think the poor need in order to live as well as they do....but I never see that announced loudly...ever. They don't mean THEIR money...they mean OUR money. Katie hasn't got an objective bone left in her holier-than-thou-wanna-be body. None of the MSM can hold their heads up any more. Too bad THEY AREN'T ELECTED....in the mean time they'll just make sure the ones THEY WANT ELECTED get elected using all the abuse of power they can get away with....
"Journalism" on the
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:53 ET by d1carter"Journalism" on the lamestream media died last year. It will never recover in my house again.
It's like chopping the head
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 22:56 ET by BeukeboomIt's like chopping the head off a chicken...it's effectively dead but the body will run around and spasm for a while. Network and cable "journalism" is in the death spasms right now.
Ironic thing is that it has all been self-inflicted although none of them will admit to it (just like they wouldn't admit to being liberal and biased for decades even though it was apparent to all).
At least now all should know
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:02 ET by octaviojWhere Miss Couric stands on the issue. Hopefully they will now leave Fox News alone as it becomes clear everyone else is on their side.
I sold my soul for rock n
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:04 ET by rockyracoonI sold my soul for rock n roll, has been replaced by...I sold my professional integrity, or what remains of it, for a government run health care plan that I won't have to use.
Facts are like kryptonite to the liberal.
This is so wrong on so many
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:04 ET by BKeyserThis is so wrong on so many levels.
She should stick to dancing
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:09 ET by Conservative VoiceShe should stick to dancing
Dang!
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:10 ET by doug1950Sorry I missed that, I was shampooing my pet snake.
Missed it too
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 16:23 ET by YahooWatcherI was watching ping pong on a tape delayed Canadian TV broadcast instead.
Don't Tax Me, Bro.
Twas the month before
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:18 ET by SlyrrTwas the month before christmas, and all through the land,
the people were shouting to stop the government's plan
Yes they planned to seize health care, and they did it with glee,
with a scheme to fleece trillions, from taxpayers like me
they wrote in death panels, and all health care they rationed,
and they demanded church-goers to bankroll abortions
for it wasn't enough for them just to kill babies,
It had to be done in a way that spites Jesus.
the media laid out deception with care,
in hopes that full socialism soon would be theirs.
With Couric's lame poems and other claptrap
and with Chris Matthews bragging 'bout thrills in his pants
they lied and they shouted, they claimed to speak for the masses,
then sent unions and ACORN to kick protestor @$$#$.
They called us nazis, teabaggers, raised quite a to-do,
they bit off the fingers of protestors too.
They used violence and mob tactics in a desperate bid,
to silence the people, and keep the truth hid.
They bribed and they blackmailed to buy corrupt votes,
by the lead of Obama, and his lies about 'hope'.
He was supposed to end 'business as usual' here,
but both he and the media killed hope with a sneer.
They shut out debate, they said 'shut up and go 'way,
'this ain't American no more', we heard their thugs say
They pretend to be as holy as a church with a steeple,
they're just doing their own will - and ignoring the people!
Slyrr,
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:22 ET by Trix RabbitIf a damn fool like Obama can win the Nobel prize for...well for whatever it was... then you should certainly win a Pulitzer for that poem.
Well done!
For the MSM: In your pomp and all your glory, you're a poorer man than me. As you lick the boots of death born out of fear.
Ian Anderson "Wind up"
Meg Dittos
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:29 ET by BlondeGood stuff.
I hope he fails, too.
Slyrr wins the thread!
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:25 ET by R D Helm-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Slyrr... Excellence. Tha
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:09 ET by bigtimerSlyrr...
Excellence.
Thank YOU.
'Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea'~Breitbart
Nice job
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 10:52 ET by RoloTVery clever, truthful and sad
So, one more home-grown
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:19 ET by Trix RabbitSo, one more home-grown idiot recites putrid poetry against a backdrop of the American flag.
Katie Qu'ran extolls the virtue of "free" medical care and expects the rest of the country to join in her sing-a-long with Big Brother and admit how "plusgoodly" things are according to the statistics she is fed from "Minitruth".
But, that is to be expected from those of the msm whose cranial capacity is at 55%.
For the MSM: In your pomp and all your glory, you're a poorer man than me. As you lick the boots of death born out of fear.
Ian Anderson "Wind up"
Katie Qu'ran
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:27 ET by R D HelmTrix,
LOL.
-Dave
Our elected representatives have failed us.
Noel...
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:30 ET by JerThere's a distinction between acknowledging political realities and actively lobbying for a particular result. I think you're missing it.
Besides, news folks thive on conflict and confrontation--not legislative lovefests.
Jer
Are you tring to suggest
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:42 ET by general companyShe doesnt have a dog in this hunt Jer?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
No, not at all. But it's
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:56 ET by JerNo, not at all. But it's a stretch to suggest the dog's being unleashed in that verse.
Jer
Jer
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:21 ET by MrShyThe Republican votes right now total zero
But a trigger could make one woman a hero.
Urging government plans for when private ones fail
To think: both sides happy, can both sides prevail?
1) She suggests if one Republican defects, that Republican will be a hero.
2) She portrays the public option, if passed, as something that can make both sides happy.
Couric is very
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:35 ET by JerCouric is very simplisticly--while groping for words that rhyme--outlining the difficulties facing senate Democrats. If Olympia Snowe crossed the aisle, you can bet she would be a "hero" to Democrats. That's different from Couric saying Snowe would be her personal hero in such event.
Jer
More... The moderate who
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:53 ET by MrShyMore...
The moderate who hails from the land way up north
Could save Harry Reid's Christmas with a deal she brought forth.
One Democrat could be "saved"... a defecting Republican could be a "hero"...
Where's the defecting Democrat being painted as a potential "hero" in this poem? Where are the Democrats that can "save" the day for a Republican's hopes/wishes? Where are these things in the poem?
Jer is such a, well
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 01:03 ET by Dan The Man 2Jer is such a, well lawyer. In fact I thought he was on O'Riely factor this evening.
DanMan2
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 01:14 ET by MrShyHe's a poor man's Houdini. A very poor man's. :p
The Dems who could save the
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 01:26 ET by JerThe Dems who could save the day for the GOP? Okay, if you insist. [I've taken the liberty of adding a couple of lines.]
Wait for Blue Dogs like Nelson and Lincoln
Who say a public option would mean the economy sinkin'
What in the world are these guys smokin' or drinkin'
The Repubs must love their Neanderthal thinkin'.
Better? :-)
Jer
Jer
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 02:00 ET by MrShy:)
So yeah, now you know.
With that poem, Katie very much indeed is actively lobbying for a particular result, and certainly has a dog in that hunt who she unleashed.
Shy...
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 02:27 ET by JerI disagree. She may very well support health care reform. [I don't watch Couric. I wasn't in favor of her being given the CBS anchor job, and would love to see her replaced.]
But if she wanted to lobby for the bill's passage in that poem, she could have done so in a very explicit manner. She did not do so. And she certainly expressed no "wish" that Snowe defect to the Democrats. She did, with reasonable accuracy, outline the obstacles facing the Democratic majority in the senate.
My opinion of course. I understand yours differs.
Jer
Jer
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 02:47 ET by MrShyBut if she wanted to lobby for the bill's passage in that poem, she could have done so in a very explicit manner.
???
If she did it in the literally-spelling-it-out way you apparently need to then be sure this was a dog that was hunting, she'd be out of a job (even though she should be, anyway... but even CBS would have to fire her.)
With a poem that was rife with bias and laughably dressed up as something neutral, she did everything BUT....
Shy
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 03:03 ET by JerNoel obviously believes there was no ambiguity. He asserts it was clear advocacy. I believe you both are reading too much into Couric's words, but maybe you, Noel and the majority here are correct. I guess only Katie knows what she really intended.
G'night...
Jer
Only Katie knows what she really intended
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 11:09 ET by Jim TreacherAs well as all speakers of English.
-Jer
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 12:27 ET by general companyMy Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
JimT
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 12:44 ET by MrShyIt's the same song here from Jer, who's on uber-spin cycle... yet again.
Acknowledging Political realities?
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 00:20 ET by merlin61We're not missing any distinctions Jer. This is just Government run television. Get used to it, its here as long as Obama is in office. Seems to be going that way. What a farce.
Katie D-
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:43 ET by kilrod["a bunch of DOUCHE BAGGERS (D-BAGGERS)"- Jack Bauer ]
And the D-Bagger award for poetry goes to---- "Katty" Katie Couric CBS news.!!~~!!
(grins) kilrod
p.s. Thanks JB i'm uh gettin many grins outta them D-Baggers
If an unborn child cannot trust you, why should I,??
Noel, the answer to both of
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:45 ET by motherbeltNoel, the answer to both of your exit questions is...Yes.
Note to Katie: Obama is
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:58 ET by rbosqueNote to Katie: Obama is going to tax YOU to pay for his healthcare. Say goodbye to that house on Martha's Vineyard.
Couric is still on the air
Mon, 11/23/2009 - 23:59 ET by jdhawkCouric is still on the air . . .
Who knew?
Yo
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 01:14 ET by owlpelletsIn my time here, I have never mentioned that I am spending my retired life as a freelance jazz trombonist. I have had to use Itunes quite a bit because of the availability of old jazz recordings. I have been checking daily for Rogue to be realeased just to be one of the first to stick it in Apple's eye (so to speak) and purchase it. It's downloading right now. I am taking cross country airline trip this weekend and will have a smile while on the plane.....Go Sara
Don't blame me....I voted for Palin...
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house...
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 11:07 ET by Jim TreacherKatie Couric was spilling Grey Goose on her blouse.
Skank
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 11:23 ET by JaibonesYeah, this would be shocking and all that, except it's Couric. She beclowned CBS the day they considered her to be a journalist worthy of anchoring news. It was a clear statement that the remain a clownish operation not to be taken seriously (see "Dan Rather").
Maybe their numbers are so bad that they've decided to fight MSNBC for control of their 600,000 leftwing gutter viewers?
Katie's neck lift
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 12:26 ET by MediaMedia: You are just too cute for words, Katy, but the longer we see your liberal agenda and biased news reporting, the uglier you will become....
ChickaBOOMer: O,Come All Ye Faithful
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 13:39 ET by StewartIIIO,Come All Ye Faithful
http://chickaboomer.blogspot.com/2009/11/ocome-all-ye-faithful.html
Olympia Snowe
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 13:51 ET by Nortois not Couric's constituent and I just reminded her office of that.
As a Nevada resident, I can say for sure....
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 14:26 ET by bpjamF U Katie!!!!!!
Nevadans don't want 'Harry to succeed' in this garbage. It will mean an end to the healthcare coverage of the 50,000+ members of the Culinary Union (ie. workers on the Strip) with that 40% tax on 'Cadillac Plans'.
This bill has nothing to do with healthcare and everything to do with more taxes and more gov takeover.
I'm not in a union but destroying the people who work on the Strip in Las Vegas doesn't benefit anyone in Vegas regardless of their income tax level. They are an asset to ALL of us. We don't WANT a new system. We just want you to end the problems which prevent us from fixing the problems we DO have - the real ones and not the ones which come up in campaign talking points.
And, again, F U Katie! F U and your political correctness and partisan holiday poems. Take those Ivory Tower ideological utopian ideals and shove them where your colonoscopy happened. Don't lecture those of us who have to live with the consequences on how wonderful it will be when you liberal idealists get your way. F*$( You!!
I couldn't
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 17:33 ET by ownedI couldn't resist...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jD7uUYhwy8