Completely unimpressed with Dean on the Today Show.

[Us vs Them]

In the last 14 months, it seems we have forgotten almost everything we learned about 'framing the debate.' What a shame, too. Do you remember how excited all of us were about that? I sure do. However, it seems Dean does not. I guarantee you, for the course of the next few days, we will be seeing the now infamous Katie Couric/Howard Dean Abramoff-money-denial clip over, and over, and over. In fact, I'm willing to bet it will make tonight's Daily Show.

Why am I so concerned about this? When forced into a debate on Katies terms, Dean folded. He answered the question directly, without framing the issue his own way. What's up with that? Well, I honestly have no idea. Sure, her facts were so 'off' they warranted a direct and swift denial, but in that golden second, our Doctor could have used the opportunity to set her straight and clarify the situation. Instead he straight up denied. Honestly, guys, that shit looks guilty, even if it's the truth.

In closing, I would like to remind everyone NOT to play their game. This is just a heads up from the media coach, here. If any of you are ever in the position to defend Democrat credibility on this issue please, for the love of God, frame the issue, clarify the situation, make a joke, break it down for a brother, but do not simply straight up deny. The truth no longer matters here. However, coming off confident does.

Thanks!

[JuniperLea]

1. Editing

Editing, smoke, mirrors... you really can't blame Dean or any other public figure for any television appearance. You never know what ended up on the cutting room floor. As you watch those shows, pay close attention to camera shots and the tone in people's voices. The untrained eye and ear can usually pick those things up if we pay attention.

[Us vs Them]

2. I don't think the Today Show is edited

It's pretty much live though on a slight delay for safety's sake.

[mattclearing]

12. Correct. n/t

[tatertop]

5. Right. Dean has been great as of late - when the entire piece is shown.

He's been smacking them down on every point.

[mattclearing]

10. This was live. n/t

[mattclearing]

9. This was live. n/t

[LizW]

21. I don't think Dean will agree to do an edited interview.

He does not trust the network media, and rightly so. I have read that he ONLY goes on if it is live and unedited.

[Ksec]

3. I agree on the framing the debate part

We fall into that trap far too often and end up playing defense all the time. I say we hurl charges and forget about being the apologists. The hate radio pundits have made an artform of this.

As far as Dean goes , maybe he had a bad day. Generally he does a pretty good job of being on offense.

[The_Casual_Observer]

4. He's guilty of not being a bullshit artist! What a shame.

[tatertop]

6. He has had a powerful rebuttal for every BS point I have seen

I am coming to appreciate him more and more.

[durablend]

16. No no...he should've kicked Katie Whoric's ass ON AIR!

That's the ticket to get him noticed!

:sarcasm:

[The_Casual_Observer]

17. Or answered every question with "there is an on going investigation"

like jr does.

[mattclearing]

7. I had problems with the way he handled the Abramoff question as well.

But I thought he did an excellent job of deflecting her attacks, and completely shut her up with his recitation of what Dems stand for.

He needs to clarify his position on the "Abramoff-related" money thing, though, because the media has sold the "bipartisan" scandal thing well.

[tatertop]

18. I have seen him correct that point thoroughly on another show

Maybe with wolfie (can't think of his real name).
Was this before or after that interview
I wonder.

[Clark2008]

23. Huh?

I thought "Democrats did not get one DIME from Jack Abramoff and we've got the FEC reports to prove it" was pretty damn direct.

How else would he have answered that?

:shrug:

[mattclearing]

27. By noting that the money Dems are purported to have gotten

from "Abramoff-related" sources was donated to Dems in spite of Abramoff's lobbying, not because of it.

[Armstead]

8. What part of "Not one Dime" don't you understand?

Fergit framing. In the context of a very short interview, that was a direct and clear answer to a stupid and leading question.

As long as Dean is certain of his facts, a basic "It is a Republican scandal. Not one dime of Abramoff money went to Democats" is a perfect anserfor that sitution.

Any hair splitting and follow up can come later. But that was classic and uncontestable as a sound bite.

[tatertop]

19. Is that what he said, I missed it.

[NYCGirl]

34. You can watch or read it here:

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/01/26/couric-caught-on-tape/

[fedupinBushcountry]

11. I'm not impressed with Katie Couric

She was down right rude for interrupting and she out right lied about the Dems. Dean did well and you could see the anger in his eyes when this media whore out right lied.

Quit blaming Dems, put the blame on this horrible media we have.

Its the media, stupid.

Turn it off !!!!

[greentrees]

15. Dean does better ...

when he can just let loose ... I love to see him let it all hang out, and so does the media ... strikes fear in the heart of the rightees.

[xchrom]

13. ''This is just a heads up from the media coach, here.''

you're the media coach?

did we have an election and you won and nobody told me?

fortunately i think for myself -- i thought dean did just fine.

[bigtree]

14. well, we got the better of that exchange anyway.

transcript: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/01/dnc_chairman_ho_9.php


This morning, DNC Chairman Howard Dean sat down with NBC's Katie Couric on the Today Show to discuss several important issues facing the American people and their priorities.

Fighting Terrorism and Protecting America

"Democrats support the idea that we ought to spy on terrorists. And, we support the idea that we need to eavesdrop from time to time. But we also believe that the President ought to obey the law. The law says that if you have an emergency reason to spy on Americans, you can go ahead and do it. But you've got to justify it with the court afterwards. We don't think this President, who has a habit of putting himself above the law, ought to be able to do this when he is spying on American."

"We all believe that we ought to be spying on Al-Qaeda, but we don't believe you ought to spy on American citizens without some kind of third party looking at this. That's what makes the difference between America and other countries like Iran, where the government can do anything they damn well please. We need to obey the law."

Supporting Our Troops

"He (President Bush) has made gross misjudgments in Iraq because he would not listen to General Shinseki and other military people who told him to do this differently. He wouldn't even listen to his own Secretary of State Colin Powell. This is a headstrong President who thinks he is above the law. We don't think that is right. We think we ought to be tough on defense. I'll tell you one thing. If we get back in power, we are going to make a real effort to go get Osama Bin Laden. We are not going to let him lollygag around for four years after the September 11th attack. And also we are going to equip our troops with the body armor that they deserve in order to fight this war. We need to do a better job on defense than this President is doing."

Democratic Priorities

"One, American jobs that will stay in America using energy independence to generate those jobs. Two, a strong national defense based on telling the truth to our citizens, our soldiers and our allies. Three, honesty and integrity to be restored to government. Four, a health care system that works for everybody just like they have 36 in other countries. And five, a strong public education system so we can have optimism and opportunity back in America."

Republican Abuse of Power

"The truth is the President and the Republicans are abusing their power in Congress. Just the other day, they stuck something in that gave HMO's 22-billion dollars of taxpayers' money. They stuck it in in the middle of the night. Nobody knew anything about it and it passed because nobody knew it was there. That is not the way to run Congress. We ought to have a real democracy in Congress where both sides get listened to and that is not the way it is right now."

Republican Culture of Corruption

"...Not one dime of Jack Abramoff's money ever went to any Democrat. We can show you the FEC reports. We would be happy to do it. There is a lot of stuff in the press that the Republican National Committee has been spinning that this is a bipartisan scandal. It is a Republican finance scandal. Not one dime of money from Jack Abramoff ever went to any Democrat, not one dime."

[Beaverhausen]

20. How can we "frame the debate" when the media are all on the WH payroll?

The media are - with a few exceptions - all mouthpieces for Bush and the repukes.

It's enough the he was actually on the show.

[mattclearing]

22. Media Coach using Democrat as an adjective.

Your credibility is shot right there.

DEMOCRAT IS NOT AN ADJECTIVE

Jesus.

[Us vs Them]

24. What? Media and credibility?

LOL

Image is the new credibility.

[mattclearing]

26. Maybe you don't get it.

You deign to lecture the DNC chairman about his use of language, and yet use Democrat as an adjective like Tom DeLay? It pretty much disqualifies you from any discussion of framing.

[Us vs Them]

28. Oh, I'm pretty much all about using thier language

In a new way. That's framing, my friend.

[mattclearing]

29. No it's not. It's being framed. n/t

[Us vs Them]

30. Is public opinion affected because

I used the word Democrat as an adjective? No, it is not. It is affected by media clips of our Chair vehemently denying false accusation which should not be dignified with public debate.

[NYCGirl]

31. So we should let them keep squealing their talking points?

Did you work on Kerry's 2004 campaign?

[Us vs Them]

32. Please re-read the original post for some helpful suggestions. Thanks n/t

[NYCGirl]

33. I did read it. And I don't agree. NT

[mattclearing]

42. Nor should Republican name-calling be dignified by being parroted. n/t

[Bridget Burke]

43. Our opinion is affected by your use of "Democrat"

Yes, we'd be much better off if Dean had been too dignified to answer Katie. Or--somebody would have been better off...

[Village Idiot]

25. I thought he was pretty direct.

The "not one dime" was pretty good, considering he had to use it TWICE to counter her propaganda.

I really wish that at some time in the near future, one of these Dems will stand up and say "I'm going to end this debate right here, right now. You're a filthy liar. No Democrat has recieved ONE THIN DIME from Jack Abramoff. Anyone who says different is either a filthy liar or a paid propagandist. I called you a liar because I gave you the benefit of the doubt."

[B Calm]

35. I would love to see them reply like that!!

[tatertop]

39. This is one tough crowd to please

What do they want him to do, smack her?
(Eventhough she had it coming :)

[Catchawave]

36. Paul Hackett for DNC Chair !!!!

Has Dean been politically neutered since he took over as chairman?

Don't get me wrong, I sent a nice donation to the DNC as a thank you after his appointment, BUT, I feel like I'm still in the middle of the 2004 Campaign with the issues?

The only people "speaking for me" these days are not in elected offices (Hackett, Edwards, Clark and Keith Olbermann!)

Where's our voice? Preferably one with a "spine" :)

[NYCGirl]

37. Did you actually see the appearance? How can you call that neutered? NT

[Catchawave]

40. Yes, yes I did :(

Love Dean, but he needs to read more DU and study Olbermann. That's just my heartfelt opinion, I'm usually wrong :hi:

[Cha]

38. WTF! Hackett is running for

Senator in Ohio where he is needed and Dean is doing brilliant work as DNC Chair from the bottom up!

[Catchawave]

41. Can Hackett "win" a U.S. Senate seat in Ohio?

OHMIGAWD, I hope your answer is YES !
Hey, I'm in Virginia, and donate to Hackett.

Apologies, my Hackett for DNC Chair comment was really meant as a little sarcasm, as little cajones hint to the DNC.

THERE'S NO APOLOGIZING IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. Heh.

[Cha]

45. Sorry, if I thought the DNC

Chairman needed some cajones then I would have gotten the "Hackett for DNC chair" comment.

This op doesn't know what its talking about.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

44. I'm completely impressed with your stack of unadulterated bullshit.

That's pure stuff!