The issue was high gas prices, and the pandering band-aid some in Congress have proposed by way of a $100 tax rebate. Today displayed this quote from El Rushbo, from his show of this past Friday:
"Instead of buying us off and treating us like we're a bunch of w----s, just solve the problem."
If Lauer did not explicitly endorse Rush's take, he came close, certainly recognizing that Rush's point merited a response. Lauer filled in the blanks when he read the quote out loud, then posed this question to guest Pat Buchanan: "Pat, has anyone put forth any solution that can solve this problem?"
In reply, Buchanan said that "both parties are playing politics" and went on to suggest that in the short term the only thing that will solve the problem will be higher gas prices that will force people into mass transit, thereby reducing demand.
Lauer returned to the subject matter of the Limbaugh quote: "How do you feel about Bill Frist's proposal of a $100 rebate? Do you think that can fly?"
Buchanan: "I think it may be able to fly because a lot of things are going to fly down there. The Congress is in real panic because the American people are enraged over not only illegal aliens but over rising gasoline prices. So I think you could see a real tsunami in this election this fall."
Of course, Lauer was relying on Rush essentially to make the point that a Republican - Bill Frist - is pandering on the gas-price issue. We won't believe the apocalypse is truly upon us until Katie Couric quotes Ann Coulter to taunt Ted Kennedy.
Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
