From the moment she participated in an anti-war march in NYC at the time of the 2004 GOP convention, there's been little doubt as to where Meredith Vieira stands on Iraq. Even so, it was something of a shock to hear the "Today" co-host express her opposition in the first person plural this morning.Discussing the war with Sen. John McCain [R-AZ] at about 7:05 AM ET this morning, she said:
"Six out of ten Americans don't agree [with you]. They want a pull-out from Iraq. So what are we missing? When you say we are succeeding, based on what?"
"We?" Give Meredith credit for candor; but one more reason for NBC to stop pretending it doesn't lean left.
View video here.
Credit McCain for hitting a Dem nail on the head a bit earlier in the exchange. In the set-up piece, a clip was played of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid [D-NV] saying on the Senate floor: "This war is not worth the spilling of another drop of American blood."
MCCAIN: If that's true, that why doesn't Senator Reid and the Democrats propose cutting off funding and bring them home tomorrow? Why wait 18 months?
EARLY SHOW BONUS COVERAGE: Interviewing McCain over on CBS, co-host Hannah Storm demonstrated how hard it is for members of the MSM to understand Republican politics, it being so foreign to them.
STORM: Senator, turning to the presidential race, in many polls you've fallen behind Rudy Giuliani among Republican voters. Are you concerned that your position on this war, and your support of sending more troops in, might cost you your dream of becoming president?
MCCAIN: It may but I can't worry about it, Hannah. . This is too important. This is far more important than any political ambition I might have. I'd much rather lose a campaign than lose a war.
Nicely said, but surely McCain understands what Storm doesn't. First, that McCain's support for the surge and opposition to setting a date for withdrawal is indistinguishable from Giuliani's and Romney's. Second, it is precisely McCain's support for the war that is keeping him in the Republican primary race.
There's a perfect illustration of what happens to otherwise-conservative Republicans like Chuck Hagel [R-NE] who oppose the war. They hold press conferences announcing that they might announce in a year, meaning they realize they have no chance in a Republican primary. McCain has faltered not because he has been too staunch a war supporter but because of his insufficient conservatism on tax cuts, campaign finance reform and immigration
But how could you expect an MSMer to understand that?Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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Some people
March 28, 2007 - 08:16 ET by allanfYou have to give Vierra some credit. At least she does not couch her opinions iwth the cowardly "Some people". It is too bad that her instincts are so poor.
Yes, and she includes herse
March 28, 2007 - 08:30 ET by motherbeltYes, and she includes herself (inadvertenetly, I'm sure) in the 60% opposition....(what are we missing?") You know that no matter how much they try to control it, their bias seeps out in ways they don't expect.
Funny
March 28, 2007 - 09:20 ET by E4PukeFunny stuff. I had a journalism class once and its even funnier to listen to the hypocracy that comes out the 90 percent left wing class that they dont even realize. One idiot was telling this big story about how he worked on a democrat campaign, but then the next topic was Novak and he called him a partisan hack. He was studying to be a journalist and he admitted to volunteering on democrat campaigns then he calls Novak a hack for being right of center? boggles the mind. I dont think these people realize how hypocritical they are. Seriously I do not think they have any clue.
Yep, my journalism 201 profes
March 28, 2007 - 11:04 ET by BDYep, my journalism 201 professor would be giving the modern MSM a big old "F" on their stories/scripts for putting opinion into hard news stores rather than facts.
He used to go through our stuff and seperate everything into certifiable fact versus opinion. If we did not source a statement we got dropped a grade. Four of them would get you a failure.
Virtually all stories being written today would be raving failures.
"Journalism" School
March 28, 2007 - 12:03 ET by exLibI am looking into getting a Masters in Music Engineering so I'll have to go to a "Liberal" Arts College.
I was sitting in on a open house and the Journalism Dean came in and gave us all a sample of the kinds of things that they talk about.
One of the things he mentioned was debates about current events.
1 - Bill O"Reilly, Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh; Partisan Hacks or "real" journalists.
2 - Michael Moore, Al Franken, Bill Maher; Entertainers or Truth Tellers
That's not verbatim but the gist of it was that if your a Republican/Conservative you are either Ok, or a partisan. If your a democrat the options are you are an island of truth in wilderness or "an entertainer". No Partisans on the left.
So I'd have to agree, liberals just never take a look on the inside.
Another thing, is the Fox News comedy show. Some of the clips are on Youtube and they are rated VERY low because liberals can't see the real them and are unable to laugh at jokes that hit too close to home.
Nothing But Commies
March 28, 2007 - 08:19 ET by the mad pole"So what are we missing" rather "what haven't we tried"? Meredith makes Shariah law appealing
In the set-up piece, a clip
March 28, 2007 - 08:34 ET by motherbeltIn the set-up piece, a clip was played of Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid [D-NV] saying on the Senate floor: "This war is not worth the
spilling of another drop of American blood."
MCCAIN: "If that's
true, that why doesn't Senator Reid and the Democrats propose cutting
off funding and bring them home tomorrow? Why wait 18 months?"
Bravo, Sen. McCain!! Comments like this from Harry Reid have gone unchallenged for too long. Someone needs to shove this same rebuttal in their faces each and every time they say stuff like that.
They will probably say it has to be done incremently, we can't just close up shop and leave...yada yada yada. Then all the more reason to start immediately, Sen. Reid!
Agree
March 28, 2007 - 09:19 ET by Paul DetrickI agree, why isn't the Republican Party and for that matter the Bush Administration standing up to these people. We've tried being bipartisan--that does not work when the party in power just wants to fight the President. Look at all these liberals getting huffy just because, aside from Sen. Chuck Hagel, we want to defend America.
John McCain is an asset.
Yo Meredith:I divorce you.
March 28, 2007 - 08:34 ET by Cool ArrowYo Meredith:
I divorce you. I divorce you. I divorce you.
Not mean enough. Yo Meredit
March 28, 2007 - 09:32 ET by dscottNot mean enough.
Yo Meredith:
I refuse to watch you. I refuse to listen to you. I refuse to buy your BS.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
I thought it was, "I bre
March 28, 2007 - 09:36 ET by Airforce_5_OI thought it was, "I break with thee, I break with thee, I break with thee." and then throw dog poop on their shoes. (Steve Martian joke for those of you under the age of 40)
Yes, that is the correct phra
March 28, 2007 - 10:25 ET by Hero SquadYes, that is the correct phrasing. And I'm only 38! Still have my "King Tut" 45.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Sorry Hero;Those under 30.
March 28, 2007 - 11:39 ET by Airforce_5_OSorry Hero;
Those under 30.
Let's get small!
March 28, 2007 - 16:23 ET by Roger the ShrubberLet's get small!
To take McCain's retort from
March 28, 2007 - 08:39 ET by Cool ArrowTo take McCain's retort from another perspective.
If Harry Reid really believes in his stance, why should we allow our soldiers the opportunity to murder any more Iraqi's?
..why should we allow our sol
March 28, 2007 - 08:50 ET by rimsky..why should we allow our soldiers the opportunity to murder any more Iraqi's..
Excuse me???
Thank you for allowing me a p
March 28, 2007 - 08:58 ET by Cool ArrowThank you for allowing me a point of clarification.
If Reid believes this is an unjust war founded on false premises, from which we must immediately extricate ourselves, he must also, necessarily, believe any deaths caused by American troops are murder.
It's an ergo thing.
I think he's referring to c
March 28, 2007 - 09:01 ET by motherbeltI think he's referring to comments made by some Liberals.
If they really believe that (e.g. Kerry's comments about terrorizing women and children in the middle of the night) then they should want to put a stop to it immediately.
I wonder what
March 28, 2007 - 08:56 ET by 10ksnooker... the Jihadis think? Anyone want to venture a guess? Unlike Vietnam, there is a real enemy out there, hell bent on the destruction of western civilization, and they will not just go away.
I know it's hard for liberals to reason, but they may want to visit some of the Jihadi sites today. The celebrations are on, recruiting line over there.
Don't ever trust a liberal with your defense, personal or otherwise.
The liberals need a failure i
March 28, 2007 - 11:23 ET by BDThe liberals need a failure in this war.
Anything else will give the lie to their youth in which millions of innocents were surrendered to captivity by the communists. Success now will prove that if we had only held on, freedom could have shined in South east asia.
No one likes to have their entire lives proven to have been a wasted lie and the libs will fight tooth and nail to prevent this happening.
I guess I missed the day in c
March 28, 2007 - 09:01 ET by Al CzervikI guess I missed the day in class where we learned that our government is required to legislate based on poll results from the media.
Perhaps Meredith could try these questions on for size.
Senator Reid (D), six out of ten Americans believe that partial birth abortion should be illegal. So what are we missing?
Senator Boxer (D), eight out of ten Americans support adding more federal agents along the border while seven out of ten support the border fence and increased efforts to stop illegal immigration. So what are we missing?
Senator Feinstien (D), six out of ten Americans oppose a law that would allow same sex couples to get married. So what are we missing?
This is fun. Why do we need a legislative branch when we can just let the polls decide the laws?
Senator Feinstien (D) 1 out o
March 28, 2007 - 09:11 ET by Cool ArrowSenator Feinstien (D) 1 out of 1 representatives from your district emailed Alberto Gonzalez asking for the removal of Carol Lam. Why are you against it now?
Al, you know the answer
March 28, 2007 - 09:17 ET by RJAl, you know the answer to that. Meredith and the rest of the media is only interested in opinion polls when they support the left's positions.
Stretching the "opinion" idea out, the other day one of our leftist posters said the left wants "the right to have an input on how the war is fought." The idiocy of that attitude is astounding. No war can ever be won with the "input" of kidbitzing back seat drivers, whether in Congress, in the media, or in "public opinion" polls.
I know. What was I thinking
March 28, 2007 - 09:26 ET by Al CzervikI know. What was I thinking that Meredith might have a shred of balance?
I don't trust the left to fight their own personal battle with personal hygiene let alone a serious situation reserved for adults.
Right on Senator! Why not tod
March 28, 2007 - 09:29 ET by Senior ChiefRight on Senator! Why not today or why not last year, and why wait 18 months? This is a legit answer, but democracks will never understand its implications...Here are some more whys: Why not bring ALL our troops home from Korea, Germany, Japan, Middle East, and all peacekeepers used by UN, including all Navy ships to be tied pierside. Then, why not kickout the useless United Nations from our country; round-up all illegals and put them all behind bars, barb wires, prison cells; stop all monetary (and kinds) aids to third world countries (they don't like America anyway). Then why not only focus on solving domestic issues.
Nah, too complicated for democracks and leftoids to comprehend.
Because when push comes to sh
March 28, 2007 - 09:47 ET by dscottBecause when push comes to shove, they refuse to accept the responsibility for their actions and that's not leadership. McCain, while I disapprove of his less than stellar conservatism has the right idea, force a vote just like the Repubs did in the House last year on Murtha's bill. Only two people voted for the bill and Murtha I believe was not one of the two. We need to shame the Senate into voting on such a bill and then force the ultra libs to watch how they were pandered to by the Dems.
One of the Dems already called the anti-war left idiots. That's right Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore, you're a bunch of suckers, sold by the Dem party. They took your money, your votes, your praise and what did you get??? Nothing... Suckers...
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Nothing like a little Freudia
March 28, 2007 - 09:43 ET by CaringwhiteguyNothing like a little Freudian Slip to start off the day, eh Meredith? It's pretty obvious that "The View" is no more liberal with Viera gone and Rosie there . . . it's just uglier.
And they had to reinforce the
March 28, 2007 - 10:04 ET by bassndudeAnd they had to reinforce the stage and get an extra strong chair.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I'm not using "uglier&qu
March 28, 2007 - 10:18 ET by CaringwhiteguyI'm not using "uglier" to merely describe physical characteristics. I'm also referring to the type of speech and the words chosen . . . . and that is not limited to Rosie.
Well, there is alot of truth
March 28, 2007 - 10:23 ET by bassndudeWell, there is alot of truth in the "uglier" word there.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
"You've fallen behind Ru
March 28, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Hero SquadCorrect me if I'm wrong, but is not frontrunner Giuliani a proponent of the GWOT and committed to winning the war?
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
You're right- and bioch Mer
March 28, 2007 - 10:49 ET by terrigYou're right- and bioch Meredith is wrong. I haven't watched this show in 20 years and now I know I am doing the right thing. Instead of marching around NYC maybe she should check her facts before she opens her big mouth. Once someone told me we should feel sorry for her because her husband has MS. There are a lot of people in the same boat with spouses, partners, siblings and parents who have relatives with some disease. She deserves no sympathy other than what a "normal" person would receive.
Yeah, if Harry & Nancy & friends want Soldiers out now-well start sending the C-130's and have them all go to their fobs and wait for their turn to get on the plane. These people and the turncoats make me not so proud to be an American.
You are correct about Giulian
March 28, 2007 - 10:54 ET by BruzillaYou are correct about Giuliani, but you are trying to drag truth and reality into statements from a lib in the MSM, and there will be none of that!
I read someplace recently,
March 28, 2007 - 11:31 ET by John in CAI read someplace recently, "the liberals don't hate Bush because they hate the war; they hate the war because they hate Bush".
Give a Democrat Party free America a chance!
So what are we missing?We'll
March 28, 2007 - 11:39 ET by PeskyDaneSo what are we missing?
We'll start with very basic critical thinking skills and then work our way up through junior high - OK, Meredith?
They can't, since our teacher
March 28, 2007 - 14:22 ET by Senior ChiefThey can't, since our teachers now are indoctrinators instead of educators. What critical thinking you're talking about? Our kids are just being fed with whatever, no need to do hard homework, just received. It's the parents job now to stimulate our children's thinking process (which is just fine with us). Heck, they don't even know what losers and winners meant... That's the democracks and leftoids doctrine.
I live in a state which had
March 28, 2007 - 14:37 ET by sarcasmoI live in a state which had Jeb Bush to his term-limit and now has Charlie Crist, both Republicans, as governors. Public school spending is at record levels, and was in Bush's first year (it's only gone-up since) despite the fact that a substantial number of Republicans believe as I do and as you apparently-might, that education can best be provided by the private free marketplace. It's very strange to me that the media don't like to cover alternative movements like this one, but it's not strange that because of that lack-of-journalism, political parties sure engage in strange collective behavior, which is often at-odds with their rhetoric...Public Education, like the tax and spend drugwar, seem to have achieved "holy" status.
JMR
I still think me metaphor was
March 28, 2007 - 15:11 ET by PeskyDaneI still think my metaphor was pretty good - LOL. Viera illustrates one of the most typical of liberal characteristics - desperately trying to come off as smart, but ending up sounding like someone who's intellect stoped developing in grammer school. Good point about our socialized educational system, BTW.