John Kerry - Meet the Press

[OKNancy]

Will air here in Tulsa at 8:00. I'll do some "spoiling" for others where it airs later. Other early watchers, join in.....please.

[molly]

1. Here in the Philly region it comes on at 10:30

[OKNancy]

2. Kerry starts out strong

Tim tries to trip him up with a yes or no answer, but good politician that he is, Kerry says, "Bush was wrong on the way he went to war"

Kerry lists all of Bush's problems....misleads coutry and his own people. Kerry says Bush has no record to run on, so he has to mislead people about Kerry's record.

Kerry looks tan and fit...voice is low and a bit gravelly.

[melv]

6. Hi Nancy!

I am missing it right now, please do continue updates!

(Melissa from Tulsa)

[rockymountaindem]

3. He's doing well so far...

except that he was trying to start off by talking about Bush's jobs record, environmental record, NCLB etc. and all Russert could say was, "ok, ok, but what is your plan on Iraq?"

[rockymountaindem]

4. Russert

is trying to fuck Kerry up bad. Bringing up an interview from 1970!?

God...

[leftwingnut]

5. that's his job...

...it's good for kerry...if he can't handle russert...he won't be able to handle the repugs attack machine...this is a good thing.

[Ivote]

7. Watching Now

We need to fight an intelligent War on terror.

[rockymountaindem]

9. Oh he's handling him allright.

He was *mad* about the $87 billion criticism and that stupid Bush* ad. Kerry called that ad "craven and misleading. He's speaking very forcefully.

[ezee]

39. He did a GREAT job! n/t

[PROGRESSIVE1]

66. I agree with you on this. Kerry needs to show that he....

can difuse the REICH WING attack lines.

[SOS]

68. Russert

is the Republican attack machine. He wears his Bush 2004 button under his lapel. No joke. He did that at the Al Amith dinner which he attended with Jack Welch of General Electric.

[Toucano]

12. "What is your plan on Iraq?"

They're just fishing for ideas!

[TahitiNut]

29. That's Bushwhacking, not a reasonable question.

Junior gets to slide on having NO PLAN nor strategy whatsoever and any challenger (Kerry or whomever) is asked to invent a new plan almost every day in order to adapt to the latest INSANE action by the Busholinis. It's entrapment, not journalism.

[OKNancy]

8. Bush foreign policy

stunninly ineffective..as worse as I've ever seen

My Secretary of state will be a real Sec...not like Bush. Mine will have a real voice.

Bush has "poisoned the well"

---
Russert reads article saying UN and NATO won't come to the rescue. Kerry says we missed three great opportunities....

Kerry..looks smart, quick

------
Our diplomacy is arrogant and ineffective.
---

Tim reads statement from 1970. Kerry says that is what an angry 27 year old says.

----

Kerry laughs at GOP commercial and said " that ad is pathetic"

[trof]

10. John Kerry is SMOKIN'!

Kicking ass and taking names.
GO JOHN!

[LEW]

11. Kerry is doing great!!!

He is hot today.....looking very presidential, confident, firm and not backing away or avoiding questions. Much different and way better then shrub!!

Don't miss it when airing in your area.

[Rationality]

13. Tim Russet is dishing out on him, it seems.

I just turned in so I don't have any opinion yet, but how do you think Kerry's handling this guy?

[Skip Intro]

14. Well damn, let him answer

sheesh

[Rationality]

15. Cuba

Why won't Kerry lift the embargo? He admits there is a Cuban lobby against it and then goes against lifting... eh. He's strategically minded, it seems. I'm dissapointed with that answer.

[Toucano]

19. I wasn't aware he was opposed to lifting the embargo.

I am likewise disappointed in that answer.

[IndianaGreen]

72. If you had been paying attention to the more leftist DUers

you would have read the Miami Herald story that was posted here last year in which Kerry said that he would consult with Cuban exiles, i.e., the Miami Mafia, before changing US policy towards Cuba.

[ikojo]

23. He did come out for increasing travel to Cuba and brought

up the fact that there is no embargo against China or Russia (why he brought up Russia I don't know since they are no longer considered a communist state).

If people are at least allowed to travel to Cuba that will help. I know people who have traveled there and risk jail everytime they do it. They go through Mexico. Of course when they return to the US, they tell a different story than what we get in the corporate media.

[OKNancy]

16. Tim is snarky

as usual.

Kerry gave good answer to " is speaking out against Bush bad for the troops"

---
Tim brings up foreign leaders crap again. Kerry is very good on this answer...says we ( USA) have never been held in lower regard abroad.
----

Uh oh - supports Bush on Israel.
No "right of return" it's not reasonable.
But Kerry says he will be engaged in the issue, unlike Bush

----
Cuba talk.

[Rationality]

17. Better handling on his Vietnam War past (n/t)

[SayitAintSo]

18. He did great addressing the Vietnam era statements

He admitted he made mistakes <wow>

Good for him ... first time he looked human this morning !

[OKNancy]

20. Wooo finally a break

Kerry is doing just great. It is quite a contrast from Bush. And on a superficial note: He looks really handsome this morning and his teeth are pearly white.

Charming smile at the end of the first segment.

[Adelante]

47. He's wonderful this morning!

GO KERRY!!

Very clear. Very forceful. And so intelligent. I'm happy.

[skooooo]

55. Everyone says Kerry is "ugly", but I don't think so!!

I think he's pretty good looking, and I'll leave it at that so I don't really reveal what I think about his looks and make myself look like a silly teenage girl or something!!

[alfredo]

21. Kerry is doing just fine. Unlike bush, English is his first language.

His answer on the first purple heart was very good. He described it as a piece of shrapnel in his arm. The purple heart was the army's idea, not his.

[justgamma]

22. love to see

a split screen of Kerry and Bush side by side answering the same question. Just for my own amusement.

[ikojo]

24. I just wish the press would go after * as hard as

they go after any Democrat. No, Bush gets questions about his prayer life.

Now Russert is trying to peg Kerry as a tax and spender. Like Bushco hasn't gone crazy with the checkbook!

[PA Democrat]

25. I am comparing Russert's questions to Kerry to

those he asked bush. There is a huge difference in the tone and aggressiveness. If Russert had asked tough follow-up question of bush like he is of Kerry, bush would have been blathering incoherently by the middle of his interview. Oh wait, he WAS blathering incoherently even with relatively easy questioning.

[ezee]

42. Remember that

** and the wh had 24hrs to EDIT the conversation that Tim had with georgie. Kerrys interview was LIVE!...Cant wait for the debates, if georgie has the guts

[glarius]

26. I've never seen Tim SO DETERMINED to trip someone up as he is here

He's got a fire in his eyes, he's trying so hard to make Kerry look bad....
Good for Kerry...putting Tim on the hot seat...hahaha

[bpilgrim]

36. but kerry masterfully flipped each of tims 'GOTCHAS' around on him

and used it as an OPPROTUNITY to wack bush usually by basically setting the record straight then pointing out their failed policies and then right into a presenting his vision.

he demonstrated well how to frame the debate even when you aren't in control - no little popup buttons - and facing a hostile questioner.

kerry did very well, imho.

peace

[ezee]

43. That was great

when Kerry turned the table on Tim.. I am glad that Tim was tough. IT show the nation that Kerry has a backbone and will stand up for what is right. IT showed the world that he has a brain and can think and is capable of doing the job.

[Rationality]

54. As long as Tim Russert does this to everyone, that's a good thing

I think the role of journalists is to expose anything and everything they can about their subject matter.

[glarius]

74. I agree...IF he grills everyone the same,,,but it doesn't seem to be that

way...

[TacticalPeek]

27. Kerry is doing fairly well, sometimes really well.

Russert is being the typical POS. As is often the case, he seems to be way more focused on looking down his long list of 'gotcha' questions, than on hearing what the guest is saying in response.

Russert thinks he knows so much, is so 'inside'. And because NBC archived tapes of MTP over the years, he thinks he knows history. Yet his breadth of knowledge and POV seems to me to be that of the typical couch potato(head) who gets all his news from cable TV.
And Kerry just quoted Timmie to himself from a MTP with the Big Dog! Oorah!

Kerry looks pretty good today.

[Thrill]

28. How did he put Russert

on hot seat

[ikojo]

30. When Russert brought up Medicare and Social Security

and about how they are losing money and the possibility that there may not be enough money. He claimed Kerry said payroll taxes would need to be raised.

Kerry reminded Tim Russert of comments he made while interviewing Clinton in 1997. Russert said that Medicare and SS were going to be insolvent in 2001 and that benefits would need to be cut, etc. Russert said taxes may need to be raised to keep the programs afloat.

Russert became silent then. HA! I like it when a candidate does not let the conservative press control the direction an argument will take. If he continues fighting like this and remaining calm (and realizing when microphones are on or off before commenting on anything) then I think he will do well.

[TacticalPeek]

37. Approximately this.

Tim ran out a question that listed a string of Kerry proposals, plugged price tags here and there, then pointed out to JK that his Presidency would bloat the deficit, wreck the economy, ruin SS and Medicare and destroy the country in typical Democrat fashion.

Then Kerry said that he wished Timmie would show a graphic of Tim's session with the Big Dog where he did pretty much the same thing to accuse Clinton of proposals that would wreck the economy, SS, etc. And then JK contrasted reality with Timmie's GOP talking points. It was really beautiful, and Russert was flat-footed and responseless. It had to have stung.

[OKNancy]

31. Second segment

I just sat there and did no running to the computer. Kerry is very good. He handled every question with aplomb. The very last thing that was said was that Kerry wished there could be monthly debates. I smiled and thought, Yeah I bet you wish that.

All in all there was no news made, I don't think. THe news would be how smart and quick Kerry is. Any reservations I had, have melted away. He is a strong candidate.

Now, let's go beat those Bush bastards.....bwhahahahaha

[leftwingnut]

32. cool...

...I'm sitting down to watch right now...

[OKNancy]

33. Post your impressions

there was a lot that I left out!

[0007]

35. Just started here in Midland

[bpilgrim]

34. ditto

he handled himself VERY WELL.

not only did he seem very sure of himself and comfortable he was in command of the debate and the facts. he did not let russert capitalize on any of his 'gotchas' in fact he usually took it and fliped it around on him and got in a few nice and accurat one-liners about * then went on to articulate HIS very REASONABLE POLICY points on the issue at hand.

good job kerry

peace

[jean]

38. It was on at 8am here and I missed it

[seabeyond]

40. i have just been watching 15 min

but i dont see russet is doing anything "bad". he is asking lots of questions, and kerry is answering. that is his job. russet isnt coddling, but giving lots of opportunity for kerry to take the things being said, and clarify for the people. and russet on top is letting kerry answering without interuption

i dont have a problem at this point with russett

just sharing from the post above.

[yelladawg]

41. Kerry did a good job

Kerry called bush a liar. The overall interview was great.

[sweettater]

48. I am really having a problem here

We rip bush because of his stance on the Israeli/Palestinian issue with Sharon Wednesday but yet Kerry agreed and everyone is praising him on a great interview with very little mention of this fact. This was another bush blunder and for Kerry to say he strongly favors this action is not what I wanted to hear.

[bpilgrim]

60. thats the only major thing he said i didn't like

but i figure he can't be seen to be radical on every status-quo issue.

i was suprised and encouraged by his nader responce though, i think it is a very good strategy and i hope he is sincere in opening dialog with not just RN but to the principles he represents and those who voice them.



peace

[librechik]

67. My husband was so disgusted he turned the TV off

I wish Kerry would denounce the assassination strategy. It's unconscionable and unChristian. The whole Sharon situation stinks and the international community should be ashamed for continuing to allow it.

Nevertheless, I'm still ABB.

Politics is not Gameboy. You have to play well with others. Kerry handled the rest of the interview well. I hope once the elections are over he'll re-evaluate his stance on Israel and we'll get some change there.

I'm switching my avatar until Kerry changes his stance on A)"The Iraq War was the right thing to do (just the wrong way) That's BS and sounds more stupid everyday. Sure Kerry voted for the war. BECAUSE BUSHCO LIED ABOUT THE THREAT! That should be the talking point.

B) Sharon is a war crominal and needs booting out--assassination and preemption are WRONG! (Kerry has said this elsewhere) Stand up for that principle, Kerry, and I'll put your avatar back up on my posts.

[LandOLincoln]

70. Agree. I missed most of the second half & will have to catch it

in rerun tonight, but it seemed to me that Russert was feeding JK each of the Rovian talking points and giving him all kinds of time to rebut, as well as time to talk about his own policies vis a vis the issue at hand.

Softballs, in other words, although I think it's interesting and probably absolutely true--what another poster said--that it's softballs this time, but that Russert is already sharpening his knives for JK's inevitable reappearance much closer to November.





edited for clarity--which is way too much to expect on a Sunday morning...

[Lindacooks]

83. The point is the comparison

between the interview with chimp and the interview with Senator Kerry. He was very soft on Bush* and is much tougher on Senator Kerry. That is the problem.

[teach1st]

44. Russert's questions are not the point

Kerry's answeres are. I hate to hear Bushies complain about "gotcha" questions from the press. I like to see Democrats ignore that defense.

A strong president has to be able to handle tough, even hostile questioning with grace and skill. Bush can't do that.

[bpilgrim]

51. but they are part of the debate

and can't be ignored when preparing to deal with the press.

kerry did a very good job dealing with the 'gotcha' questions by usually flipping them around and them framming the debate.

of course when your oppostition is as lame as the neoCONs are we have plenty of ammo but you MOSTLY have to CONFRONT the press while dealing with the issues.

peace

[Renew Deal]

45. Is Kerry orange?

He looks like he has a heavy tan.

[leyton]

65. I think (I hope) it's the lighting

although Kerry's skin is sort of yellowish, I think. Maybe more of an olive. I don't know.

[bucknaked]

46. Kerry will rip Bush a new one during the debates...

Won't be surprised if Cheney has to hold his hand during that, too.

"Uhh" boy is going down.

Of course, the cynic in me has an idea that certain elements might have sympathy for Bush when Kerry humiliates him.

[Guava Jelly]

50. Ya think bush will debate kerry without Cheney

And if he does will the wingnut pundents cry and moan that cheney should be part of the debate?? Because they are that freaken stupid

[TheDonkey]

49. Kerry is doing an excellent job, this will help him

the soundbytes from this will be good. He also gave a great response to his $87B vote.

[Adelante]

52. Whoo

"The longest vacation in presidential history." August 2001.

[Digit]

53. This is great!

The more Russert tries to trip up Kerry, the better Kerry looks.
Plain and simple.

[watercolors]

56. Kerry did an outstanding interview

hubby and I sat and watched, what a difference , made the shrubs interview look pathetic. Would be great to see those two interviews side by side. Kerry is very presidential in his demeanor also and yes, he speaks proper English. All in all very impressed and it really helped to confirm our beliefs he is a good candidate!

[JNelson6563]

57. As a Kerry non-fan

With the exception of his agreeing with the usurper on Israel I thought he did a great job with Timmy.

Julie

[seaglass]

64. That's great to hear. And I would agree with you, I do not

like his agreement with Bush's statement on Israel at all.

[IndianaGreen]

73. On Iraq, Kerry will continue the war

Russert did point out how Kerry's position on using the UN and NATO has been overrun by events. Iraqis won't accept any foreign troops on their soil under any flag!

[NMDemDist2]

58. he did a great job-- charming and articulate n/t

[Shopaholic]

59. Interview repeats today on MSNBC at 4pm

I'm not a huge Kerry fan but I was very much impressed with how well he answered the questions and how he kept his cool. Very, very presidential. Watch the repeat today on MSNBC or on CNBC tonight-it's well worth your time. The hour flew by so fast!

[kevinhnc]

61. I sincerely hope...

I sincerely hope that all of the "doubts about Kerry" posts greatly decrease in frequency.

Not to stifle free speech or anything, but just to see how even-handed and intelligent Kerry's policies are, you don't have to agree 100% with them to realize that they are very sound and won't destroy America like Bush will continue to do.

We are stuck, if you will, with Kerry now, and I'm not so sure that's a bad thing after watching him today. Lets show our solidarity and give him our 100% support.

Hey he even talked again today about having a sit down, iron-out-your-differences talk with Nader. I can't wait 'till November

[eleny]

62. He's looking presidential

Just 20 minutes in so far, he's doing a good job. Calm demeanor and ready for every question. He looks entirely engaged, confident and calm.

Hitting those kevlar vests. He's hurting the administration from what I can see.

[powergirl]

63. KERRY WAS ON FIRE

I liked how he directly answered all questions - numbering off his plan for Iraq. And repeating over and over again that Bush has NO PLAN and is failed diplomat.

I loved the Russert question about one of Kerry's Purple Hearts. It's great that our candidate has several military awards to discuss. I hope the Repubs complain that a mere schrapnel woulnd does not justify a purple heart. That would be great. Because then we can talk about the wounds Bush got when he ran into a bush (actual plantlife here) when he was drunk duing a youthful (age 30) indiscretion.

[gpandas]

69. never a big fan, but...

he convinced me that he can and will win

[IndianaGreen]

71. The only "Yes" answers that Kerry gave

On Meet the Press today Kerry gave unequivocal "Yes" answers to Tim Russert's questions about supporting Bush endorsement of Sharon's land grab of the West Bank (Sharon Plan) and his "targeted" assassination policy.

When it comes to the Israel/Palestinian conflict, Kerry is joined at the hip with Bush and Sharon!

Did anyone else find Kerry's answers about Iraq as disturbing as I did?

[DaveSZ]

75. My take on the interview:

He handled Russert's tough questioning well - unlike Bush.

The personal questions, such as the nightmares about Vietnam, are really quite inconsequential.



His foreign policy seems to be * lite.

-He endorsed Sharon's land grab, which is unsettling (pardon the pun).

-On Iraq, he says, "Stay the course." The course has been getting bumpy, but maybe is still navigable.

-He doesn't feel he made a mistake by voting to go to war in Iraq.

-On the positive side, his diplomacy will be far less inept than Bush's.


His domestic policy will be quite excellent.

-He will kick out the religious extremists from the cabinet positions, end the Faith Based Initiative, and will not appoint Roy Moore clones to the US Supreme court.

-He will do a complete 180-degree turn on environmental policy, and could be one of our best environmental presidents ever if he has a congress to work with.

-He will scrub the tax code, and make it fair for the middle class again.

-At least he has a healthcare plan.

[DaveSZ]

77. "Any reservations I had, have melted away. He is a strong candidate."

I agree. Bush is a bumblefuck. Kerry should tear him a new a-hole in the debates.


Overall I give Kerry:

"C" for foreign policy

"A" for domestic policy

[Onlooker]

76. Kerry's saying what has to be said

Politicans, even Reagan and Bush, always play to the center when they campaign. Kerry has pretty good progressive credentials overall. I'm betting whatever he says now, he'll apply a liberal interepretation to once he's in office. Remember, he was an anti-war activist at a time that has similarities to this era.

[DaveSZ]

78. I hope so!

This running to the right business could turn Nader into a factor again.

[IndianaGreen]

80. Supporting Sharon is not centrist, it is Fascist!

Why does Kerry want to become a war criminal like Bush and Sharon?

Why can't he just do what Spain's PM Zapatero just did and announce an immediate withdrawal?

[LeinesRed]

79. Masterful! The only thing missing

was a gun-control question, since lying "Cheeney" is whipping up the NRA faithful this weekend. I would have loved if Russert asked anything about guns... Kerry would have put the "I'll take your hand gun issue" to rest once and for all.

[Thrill]

81. What do you expect him to say

You don't think he is going to openly go against Sharon do you? And drive the Jewish voters to Bush? And then Bush can say he's for being tougher Hamas than Kerry thus making the Jewish Americans get on his side.

[CabalBuster]

82. He just lost the Muslim vote in Michigan, Florida, Maryland, etc.

He didn't even mentioned the Palestinians as if they don't exist. His desire to "brown nose" Sharon and the Likud made me want to barf. So much for being a true liberal, he'll be as hated by the Muslims as Bush.

[OKNancy]

87. It's been several hours since I watched

but I do recall that Kerry did throw a bone to the Palestinian side. Something about being active in negotiations. I was disappointed in his answer too, but it has been a long-time platform of the Democratic party to support Israel.

[peaches2003]

84. FoxNews

I'm not a big Kerry fan as a nominee, thinking he has way too much baggage, but thought he did great with Russert. However, just heard Carl Cameron on FoxNews discussing the MTP interview and listening to the Fox (spelled RNC)spin I didn't recognize what I heard this morning at all.

[gauguin57]

85. two things ....

Kerry looked good and did a good job.

Two things though:

1) Sen. Kerry, we've had nearly four years of a complete smirking dipsh*t in the White House. We'll accept a serious president; you don't have to be cutesy. Don't begin an answer about the atrocities in Vietnam with "I wonder where all my brown hair went." It's OK to be intellectual and serious!

2) Mr. Kerry, step AWAY from the bronzer. I repeat, step AWAY from the bronzer. Al Gore's blusher, redux! Sounds like a shallow point, but, unfortunately, those are the things that get beaten to death by the Pugs. Then SNL will have Seth Myers with brown shoe polish on his face, and we'll be off and running ...

[robbedvoter]

86. Pretty good. Now keep on attack on all relevant issues

Speak up on 9.11 responsibility. Speak up on Iraq. Speak up on patriot Act - "the wall" and all the lies they propose. BE THERE, in the national dialogue.
I liked the way he rejected the 87 Billion lie. keep up that tone and use it on all important issues!