Bush sits down with ‘the least contentious journalist in the land’
It’s hard to imagine a [tag]CNN[/tag] on-air journalist sitting down with the [tag]president[/tag] for an hour-long interview without making any real news, but yesterday, [tag]Larry King[/tag] managed to pull it off.
The New York Times’ Alessandra Stanley noted that everyone, regardless of their profession, seems anxious to talk to King because they know the interview will be “a chance to explain oneself to the least contentious journalist in the land.” King didn’t disappoint.
Indeed, watching the interview, I noticed why Bush must love talking to King: the interview questions already include the answer:
* “Mr. President, you’re into taking the lead on things. Iraq was an example. You took the lead on Iraq. The United Nations went along.”
* “You’ve always had a lot of compassion for the Mexican people.”
* “[We’re] going to get bin Laden.”
* “[Ann Richards] liked [Ken Lay] a lot.”
With questions like these, who needs answers? All Bush needs to do is nod his head, and maybe thank King for the [tag]softball[/tag]s during the commercial break.
This isn’t to say Bush said nothing of interest. The president, for example, oddly referred to [tag]Ken Lay[/tag] as a “[tag]good guy[/tag]” and a “generous person,” which seemed like a strange description for an obvious criminal who defrauded thousands. For that matter, Bush said he thinks “every day” about bringing Osama [tag]bin Laden[/tag] to justice, which is at odds with previous statements, including Bush’s infamous line, “I truly am not that concerned about him.”
But in the end, the real fascination was with King, not Bush, who seemed anxious to solidify his reputation as the least hard-hitting interviewer on television. As the NYT’s Alessandra Stanley put it, “[I]t was classic Larry King: a warm bath, not a hot seat.”
Bush probably would have it had it tougher on Fox News. It was that bad.
It just goes to show that “whiffle ball” isn’t just for little kids any more. What’s next—policy via hopskotch—or tiddly-winks?
This is the perfect type of interview format for Bush. He can “answer” “questions.” No gotcha questions so no stress. He gets his face out there, without his handlers fearing him screwing up.have to spend days spinning
Another interesting bit was that Bush, like Schumer, refused to say that he would support his party’s nominee in the Connecticut Senate race in the event that Lieberman goes independent.
I think it’s kind of appropriate in a Ying/Yang sort of way.
One guy claims to have friends he never had.
The other guy claims to have never known his friends he did have.
Bush’s experience of “Kenny Boy” absolutely did include the latter’s generosity. Indeed, this might be, from Bush’s perspective, the most truthful thing he’s said since 2001.
Where did anyone ever get the idea that Larry King practices journalism?
Just another reason for me to stop watching CNN. What with Glenn Beck and Nancy Grace. They’re getting as bad as faux news.
Do not use the words “Larry King” and “journalist” in the same sentence.
I expanded my last comment into a blog post, in case anyone cares.
The best takedown I’ve ever read of King was Slate’s efforts to imagine him interviewing Pol Pot..