Unbelievable we're back for the first post since November '04, and it hasn't been for lacking of watching in the slightest, but life gets in the way of blogging so one of the editorial decisions of these posts will be brevity. You're welcome.
So today was classic MTP; one that would reactivate a blog, and I owe it to the presence of three things - Ted Kennedy in 1962, and his presence in the studio); David Broder, the Dean of Editorial Page Biters of Sound, and Lord Stanley's Cup.
"The Administration is cutting and running," which is not exactly true, but is a provocative phrase - without a doubt. The reason it isn't exactly true is that the Administration is actually 'maintaining.' They are waiting out the policy they have in place until the Iraqi's can get their shit together, frankly, and then by that time their eight years will be over. Are the 'cutting and running' mentally and trying to bring the American public along with them by botching other things more closer to home? Well...you fill in the rest.
Ted Kennedy can be very good in the common sense role, but really for any politician opposed to this administration's agenda it's quite easy. But to his credit, he did not vote for the war and yes, he has been consistent with his view. But perhaps, most importantly, he addresses the middle class often as he did today. Republicans in all honesty, have lost complete sight of that, at least rhetorically.
So classic MTP is when you have a guest with the following criteria: a long history with the show, a 'senior official' status, and, of course, you've been making some headlines - i.e. Senator Kennedy's book and his co-sponsorship of the Immigration bill with Sen. John McCain.
But what was best about his appearance was when Tim (my apologies for first name basis - no respect, it's written because he is brought into my home and consciousness often - last time mentioned) went back to a clip from 1962, Kennedy's first appearance, and then asked about corruption, I think Tim was expecting a somewhat of a reminisce from the Senator but he articulated his defense of the position and remained consistent on something for 44 years. At least he has that.
The other part of a classic is the roundtable and the presence of David Broder. It isn't a classic roundtable if he's not there - simply put. Partially due to his personality and a lot to do with the fact that he always speaks common sense, he never has to raise his voice to make a point.
And classic Broder today was the way he completely shutdown Tony Blankley of the Washington Times - his local verbal jousting partner - and Tony knew it. Also, Broder always gets asked the first question - I wonder if they have a contract? Tony was talking about CIA discipline and this was a problem. Well, David calmly but firmly retorted that if the Administration would exercise some itself then there wouldn't be the compulsion for such leaks and as Blankley would describe it - subversion. Ah, the Dean... Blankley tried to recover about all he had was off balance bullshit rebuttal.
Ron Brownstein aspires to be the Dean - sitting next to Broder and echoing many of his points so Blankley has no chance - it's gang mentality. And why not, Blankley is a columnist for a newspaper and I have no problem that he states an opinion that I disagree with - it's just that he still uses the word 'we' as in my Republican colleagues and I think... That's towing the anchor a bit too much.
Aside: Bill Bennett was quoted that journalists should go to jail for publishing such sensitive information - about leaks and such. Hasn't this commentator discredited himself enough already? Judith Miller's motivations can absolutely be put to question so to put forth such a notion is simple posturing - counterproductive.
And then you have a former Press Secretary - Dee Dee Meyers who worked for President Clinton. Everyone you talk to nowadays who has heard a former Clinton official speak marvels at how much common sense they all seem to have. Then you automatically think why can't this country be that sensible. If only Clinton could keep his thing in his pants and only if the Republicans would be so sexually repressed - maybe to this day would we still be better off.
Lastly, the presence of Lord Stanley's Cup - the oldest professional trophy in sports on the oldest television program, my humble kudos to the synergy. Being a big hockey fan myself, as soon as I saw it, I knew that Tim was going to relish in last night's 3-2 Buffalo win over my Flyers. Isn't politics sporting?
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